March 1st: South Korea marks 100 years of independence movement

On March 1, South Korea will commemorate a key moment in the country’s history. It will mark 100 years since the reading of the 1919 Declaration of Independence, now known as the March 1st Movement, or Sam-il.

Dr Changzoo Song, senior lecturer in Korean and Asian Studies at the University of Auckland, says the declaration represented the first massive and popular demand for independence from Japanese colonial rule, which began in 1910.

The movement not only led to a sustained independence movement in the Korean peninsula, but also, according to Song, “contained pacifism and non-violence, which inspired many other political movements elsewhere in the world.” Indian nationalists Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi were among those who paid close attention to the Korean movement.

Koreans’ displays of resistance were quickly and brutally suppressed by Japan. Independence would not actually arrive until 1948, with the creation of the Republic of Korea and Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

This One Earth monument at the DMZ, South Korea.

Today, tensions with Japan and disagreements over colonial legacies continue. Song says domestic politics are still driving South Korea-Japan tensions.

“The current Japanese government may feel that anti-South Korean sentiments in Japanese society might bring more support for the right-leaning government of Japan. Similarly, the current South Korean government, which is pursuing more pro-North Korean policy, may think anti-Japan sentiments among Koreans might be beneficial for them.”

On the heels of the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, this year March 1 will highlight ongoing challenges on the Korean peninsula, says South Korean politician Changwon Pyo, who was visiting Wellington as the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Fellow.

“Peace is a dream for us. One hundred years ago in 1919, when we were occupied by the Japanese imperial army, we declared that we are an independent country. We drew our own constitution at that time, and the most important clause was peace.

“But looking back on our own 100 years of history, now we see ourselves not exercising peace in our daily life. We are fighting each other.”

South Korea had floated joint commemorations with North Korea, as part of a broader attempt by President Moon Jae-In to foster inter-Korea relations.

North Korea, however, declined the invitation. Song says this is because of disagreements over the legacy of the movement.

“The North Korean state also celebrates the March 1st Movement, but as a ‘popular resistance against foreign power’, which was led by North Korean leaders. The North Korean state does not recognise the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea established after the March 1st Movement in 1919.

“This year is the 100th anniversary of the Provisional Government (as well as the March 1st Movement) and the North Korean government may not share the same zeal for the day as the South Korean government has.”

Meanwhile, Pyo had a message for New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on his recent visit to Wellington.

“I would like to ask her to support the peace process going on in the Korean Peninsula. I would also like to ask her to have more interest in Korea and the mutual relationship between New Zealand and Korea.”

- Asia Media Centre