[That Historic Day in Korea] The Fire of Independence: Remembering Korea’s March 1st Movement and Yu Gwan-sun

On March 1, 1919, a spark of defiance ignited across the Korean Peninsula, a cry for freedom that would echo through history. The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was a nationwide uprising against Japanese colonial rule, which had stripped Korea of its sovereignty since the 1910 annexation.

This nonviolent demonstration, rooted in a deep yearning for self-determination, marked a turning point in Korea’s struggle for independence and remains a cornerstone of national identity. At its heart was Yu Gwan-sun, an 18-year-old student whose courage and sacrifice have made her an enduring symbol of resistance.

The historical significance of March 1st lies in its scale and unity. Koreans from all walks of life—students, farmers, merchants, Christians, Buddhists, and Cheondoists—gathered in cities and villages to demand independence. The movement was sparked by the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, a document penned by 33 Korean leaders, including Son Byong-hi, a prominent Cheondoist figure. Inspired by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points and the global wave of self-determination post-World War I, the declaration was read aloud at Seoul’s Pagoda Park (now Tapgol Park) before a swelling crowd. Protesters waved the forbidden Korean flag, shouted “Mansei!” (Long live Korean independence!), and distributed copies of the declaration, risking arrest and death.

The Japanese response was swift and brutal. Colonial authorities deployed police and military forces, arresting thousands and killing an estimated 7,500 protesters, according to Korean sources, though Japanese records claim lower figures. Over 46,000 were imprisoned, and countless others were tortured. Yet the movement’s impact was undeniable: it galvanized international attention to Korea’s plight, inspired subsequent resistance efforts, and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai in April 1919.

Among the countless heroes of March 1st, Yu Gwan-sun stands out as a beacon of youthful defiance. Born in 1902 in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, Yu was a student at Ewha Haktang (now Ewha Womans University) in Seoul when the movement erupted. Deeply patriotic, she joined the protests, distributing the Declaration of Independence and organizing demonstrations. On March 10, she led a rally in her hometown, rallying hundreds to march against colonial rule. Her fervor led to her arrest, alongside her parents, who were killed by Japanese authorities. Yu, then only 17, was imprisoned, tortured, and sentenced to seven years in Seodaemun Prison.
Even in captivity, Yu’s spirit remained unbroken. She organized protests within the prison, shouting “Mansei!” and encouraging fellow inmates to resist. Her defiance came at a devastating cost: in September 1920, at the age of 18, she died from injuries sustained during torture. Her body was reportedly dismembered to suppress her martyrdom, but her story could not be silenced. Smuggled accounts of her courage spread, cementing her as a national icon.

To Koreans, Yu Gwan-sun is more than a historical figure; she is a symbol of unyielding resistance and the power of ordinary individuals to challenge oppression. Her youth and gender amplify her legacy in a society where women’s voices were often marginalized. Schools across South Korea teach her story, and her image graces textbooks, memorials, and even currency. The March 1st Movement, commemorated annually as a national holiday, serves as a reminder of the collective sacrifice that fueled Korea’s path to liberation in 1945.

Historians note that the movement, while not immediately successful in ending colonial rule, reshaped Korea’s national consciousness. “It was a moment when Koreans asserted their identity as a sovereign people, despite overwhelming odds,” says Dr. Kim Soo-ja, a professor of Korean history at Seoul National University. “Yu Gwan-sun’s story personalizes that struggle, showing how even the youngest among us can embody a nation’s resolve.”

Today, as South Korea reflects on its past, the March 1st Movement and Yu Gwan-sun’s legacy resonate as calls to cherish freedom and resist injustice. Annual ceremonies at Tapgol Park and Seodaemun Prison draw thousands, while Yu’s childhood home in Cheonan is a pilgrimage site for those honoring her sacrifice. In a world still grappling with questions of autonomy and resistance, Korea’s Samil Movement offers a powerful lesson: even in the face of repression, the human spirit can ignite a flame that endures.

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