March 1st Independence Movement Day in Korea – 삼일절 (Samiljeol)

Korean Independence Movement Day, or the March 1st Movement Day, is a national holiday in South Korea. It’s probably one of the more culturally relevant holidays you need to know about, especially if you’re learning about Korea and Korean culture.

This March 1st holiday is rich in history, so take a walk down Korean culture lane with us, and we’ll tell you all about it!

Korean Independence Movement Day: The March 1st Movement

The Korean Independence movement was an ongoing campaign to liberate Korea from Japan since 1910. The campaign reached a high point on March 1st, 1919.

On this day, a series of public demonstrations happened when Japan was still occupying Korea. These were public demonstrations against the Japanese Government. It was a nationalistic show of strength and resistance against Japanese military rule in Korea.

When is the March 1st Movement Day?

As the name implies, the March 1st Movement is celebrated on March 1st every year. This is a public holiday, which means most offices and schools are closed to commemorate the day.

Because this happened on March 1, 1919,  the holiday’s official name became the March 1st Movement Day or Sam-il Movement Day (literally meaning Three – One or March 1st).

March 1st Holiday in Korea – 삼일절 (Samiljeol)

On March 1st every year, Korean people celebrate The March 1st Movement Day, known in Korea as 삼일절 (Samiljeol).

The name 삼일절 (samiljeol) can be broken into three parts:

삼 (sam) = 3

일 (il) = day / 1

절 (jeol) = festival day (word suffix)

The direct translation is “3-1 Festival Day.” This celebration reminds Koreans what happened during the public resistance on March 1st. The demonstrations are also sometimes called 만세운동 (manseundong), which means “Manse Demonstrations.” These protests were marked by mass gatherings in public spaces, which the Japanese military police, of course, tried to suppress.

What happened on March 1?

On March 1st, 1919, 33 Korean Movement core activists read the Korean Declaration of Independence. Their goal was to put an end to the Japanese occupation in Korea.

Following that, over 2 million Koreans participated in over 1500 demonstrations nationwide, which the Japanese military police attempted to control. This became the biggest national protest against foreign dominance in Korean history. In the end, there were approximately 7,000 people killed, 16,000 wounded, and 46,000 were arrested by the Japanese police force and soldiers. On top of these, many houses, churches, and buildings were burned.

This event caused a lot of change for the Korean Independence movement. Many March 1^st Movement leaders fled to other countries and continued their activism there. Some activists flew to parts of China, like Shanghai, where the Korean Provisional Government was eventually established.

The March 1st Movement Day was declared a national holiday in Korea on May 24th, 1949.

How is Independence Movement Day Celebrated in Korea?

Every March 1st,  South Koreans commemorate the holiday through different activities honoring the spirit of the Korean independence movement. Here are some of them.

These include attending commemorative ceremonies and events, participating in reading the Declaration of Independence aloud in public gatherings, and visiting historical sites related to the movement. Additionally, cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, and educational programs are organized to educate the public about the historical significance of the day and to celebrate Korean heritage and national pride.

Reading the Declaration of Independence

This holiday is celebrated by reading the Korean Declaration of Independence from 1919. The reading takes place in Tapgol Park (formerly Seoul’s Pagoda Park).

Korean flags can be seen everywhere

One notable thing is you’ll see Korean flags everywhere on this day. 태극기 (taegeukgi), the Korean flag, is raised in homes, businesses, and institutions.

Celebrations throughout the country

There are also numerous parades, concerts, and exhibitions to commemorate the day. During exhibitions, a re-enactment of the March 1st Independence Movement Day also happens. This gives the audience a glimpse of what occurred in the past.

Wrap Up

So there you have it! You’ve now learned about one of Korea’s most culturally relevant holidays.

Interested in more of Korea’s national Holidays? Check out these articles below:

• National Liberation Day of Korea (Gwangbokjeol) – Celebration of Independence
• National Foundation Day in Korea

What will you do to celebrate Independence Movement Day in South Korea? Let us know in the comments!