Samiljeol | Korean Independence Movement Day: Commemorating March 1st Movement

March 1st, known as Samiljeol or Independence Movement Day, commemorates the 1919 protest against Japanese rule in Korea. This national holiday honors the courage and spirit of those who fought for Korea's independence. Consequently, March 1st is a public holiday, and some businesses may also remain closed on the surrounding days, March 2nd and 3rd, to extend the observance and give people more time to commemorate this important historical event

Samiljeol, also known as the March 1st Independence Movement Day, is a significant national holiday in Korea. It commemorates the nationwide struggle for independence from Japanese colonial rule that took place on March 1, 19192.

On this day, a group of 33 Korean cultural and religious leaders read the Korean Declaration of Independence in Seoul, igniting mass demonstrations across the country. Inspired by the principle of self-determination, Koreans peacefully protested against Japanese colonial rule. However, the Japanese government responded with brutal crackdowns, leading to thousands of deaths, arrests, and imprisonments13.

Despite the suppression, the movement was pivotal in influencing Korea's journey to independence. It attracted global attention and established a groundwork for subsequent resistance efforts. Korea eventually achieved independence in 1945, and in 1949, the South Korean government formally recognized March 1st as a national holiday1.

Today, Samiljeol is a day for remembrance and patriotism. People commemorate this day by attending ceremonies at historic sites, displaying the national flag, and participating in various educational programs and cultural performances