President Yoon Suk Yeol (C) and first lady Kim Keon Hee (3rd from R) sing the national anthem during a ceremony marking the 104th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement at the Memorial Hall of Yu Gwan-sun in Seoul on March 1, 2023. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 2 (Korea Bizwire) — The March 1 Independence Movement against Japanese colonial rule in 1919 is an important moment in Korean history and is even enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Celebrities’ efforts to raise awareness about this historic event in Korea’s independence movement have been a hot topic.
During this year’s March 1 Independence Movement Day commemorations on Wednesday, however, the tone of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s speech stirred controversy due to the marked departure from the tone set by previous leaders.
Critics have pointed out that the president did not address the aggression of Japan during its colonial rule of Korea, leading to concerns that the speech was taking a revisionist view of history in line with the Japanese right-wing’s historiography.
Public opinion has been critical, stating that while it is important for South Korea-Japan relations to move forward towards a future-oriented partnership, it is equally important to remember the historical significance of March 1 Independence Movement Day.
Critics have also taken issue with President Yoon’s silence on the issue of “forced labor,” which currently poses the most significant challenge to diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan.
Participants hold the national flag in a torchlight parade in Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul, on Feb. 28, 2023, the eve of the 104th anniversary of the March 1, 1919, Independence Movement. The event was held in remembrance of a series of protests led by independence fighter Yu Gwan-sun in a town in Cheonan, which was part of a nationwide resistance against Japan’s colonial rule. (Yonhap)
On the other hand, many celebrities celebrated the historic day in their own way and touched the hearts of the public.
Actress Song Hye-kyo has been sponsoring March 1 Independence Movement Day events for the past 12 years, and this year, she produced a video about Jung Jung-hwa, a female independence activist who played a vital role in the operation of the provisional government of Korea during the independence movement.
For a dozen years now, the celebrated thespian Song and esteemed scholar Seo have joined forces to champion the accurate portrayal of Korea. With unyielding dedication, they have graciously bestowed Korean language manuals, Hangul placards, and compassionate art pieces upon key locations of the Korean independence movement globally, on the occasion of every momentous anniversary. (Image from Prof. Seo’s SNS)
South Korean singer Sean also completed a 31-kilometer marathon and donated 148 million won (US$76,000) in commemoration of March 1 Independence Movement Day.
The campaign aimed to express gratitude towards independence activists who fought for the independence of the Korean homeland and to remember their sacrifices and dedication.
While the government’s approach has been met with criticism, celebrities have continued their efforts to promote awareness of Korean history and honor the sacrifices of those who fought for independence.
Jerry M. Kim (jerry_kim@koreabizwire.com)
