On the morning of March 1, 2026, the National Assembly Members' Hall in Seoul will fill with an energy both solemn and celebratory. Marking the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement, the annual National Joint Commemorative Event will bring together over 120 organizations, from religious groups and independence activist associations to civic coalitions, all united by a shared reverence for the spirit of resistance that echoed across Korea more than a century ago.
The March 1st Movement, known as Samil Undong, began in 1919 as a defiant nationwide call for Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule. Its legacy remains a touchstone for national identity and unity, and this year’s commemorations in Incheon and Seoul are set to highlight both the enduring memory of that struggle and the contemporary hopes for peace and reconciliation on the peninsula.
According to Incheon Today, the city of Incheon is home to 17 historic sites tied to the March 1st Movement. These sites are scattered across Ganghwa County (11 locations), Gyeyang District (2), Ongjin County (1), Dong-gu (1), and Jung-gu (2). Each location tells a story of courage, loss, and the unyielding desire for freedom. Some are the very grounds where independence activists rallied crowds, while others are the preserved homes of those who led the charge for liberty.
Ganghwa County stands out for its concentration of these sites. On March 18, 1919, a staggering 20,000 residents, led by the independence activist Yoo Bong-jin, gathered in Ganghwa-eup. Historical accounts detail how Yoo climbed the bell tower in the town center, ringing the bell to signal the start of the demonstration and proclaim the nation’s yearning for independence. The day before, at Seonduri Church, activists had printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, which would soon circulate among the demonstrators.
Yoo Bong-jin was no ordinary activist. As a soldier in the Imperial Korean Army, he played a pivotal role in planning and leading the demonstrations. His legacy, along with that of fellow educator and activist Lee Geon-seung—who founded the Kaemyeong School in Sagi-ri, Ganghwa to advance the cause through education—lives on in the preserved birthplaces and homes designated as city monuments, such as Lee’s birthplace in Hwado-myeon.
Gyeyang District’s history is marked by the tragic events of March 24, 1919, at Hwang-eo Market. Here, around 300 people gathered in protest, only for the demonstration to end in bloodshed when Lee Eun-seon was fatally stabbed by police. Today, a monument stands in front of the Gyeyang 1-dong Post Office to honor Lee’s sacrifice. As Incheon Today notes, the Hwang-eo Market protest acted as a catalyst for further demonstrations throughout the region.
Elsewhere, Ongjin County’s own chapter unfolded as Im Yong-woo and students from Myeongdeok School led about 100 residents in a demonstration. Im was arrested as a ringleader and later died in prison, his story a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dared to resist. In Dong-gu, students at Changyeong Elementary School staged a solidarity strike, even cutting Japanese communication lines in a bold act of rebellion. A commemorative monument now stands at the school to mark their bravery.
Jung-gu’s Manguk Park—now known as Jayu Park—was the site of a major demonstration on March 9, 1919. Hundreds gathered to shout for independence, joined by Christian groups and student activists. Just a few weeks later, on April 2, representatives from 13 provinces convened here to resolve to establish the Provisional Government, a crucial step in the movement’s evolution. In nearby Yongyu-myeon (present-day Nambuk-dong), residents formed a secret society called Hyeolseongdan and, on March 28, rallied 150 people to wave the Taegeukgi flag in open defiance.
As the 107th anniversary approaches, these stories are not just recounted—they are re-enacted and celebrated. The 3.1 Independence Movement Commemorative National Joint Event, organized by the 3.1 Movement Commemorative Committee, will bring together a diverse cross-section of Korean society. According to Ourtoday, the event’s venue this year—the National Assembly Members' Hall—underscores its national significance, especially as it follows last year’s gathering at the Cheondogyo Suun Hall.
“For 30 years, the 3.1 Movement Committee has kept alive the spirit of the March 1st demonstrations,” said a spokesperson for the organizing committee. This year’s event is particularly poignant given the current state of inter-Korean relations, which have worsened during the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and remain in search of a breakthrough. The committee, which includes the Dangun National Peace and Unification Council and the Korean National Movement Organization Union, hopes the commemoration will foster national unity and reconciliation.
Indeed, the event will feature not only speeches and remembrances but also cultural performances designed to evoke the emotional landscape of 1919. Attendees will hear stirring renditions of “Song of the Independence Army’s Wife,” “In the Wilderness,” and “The White-bearded Whale.” These pieces, performed by citizens and artists alike, are meant to bridge the past and present, reminding all in attendance of the sacrifices made and the dreams for a peaceful, unified future.
This year’s commemoration also marks the third such event to take place since the 5.24 measures and the withdrawal from the Kaesong Industrial Complex—two pivotal moments in recent inter-Korean history. The Dangun National Peace and Unification Council, which played a role in bringing spring water from Mount Kumgang for the occasion, sees the event as an opportunity to overcome the divisions that have deepened in recent years.
“We hope that this gathering can serve as a turning point, not only for remembering the past but for building a future where peace and unity are possible,” said one of the organizers, reflecting the aspirations of the 120 participating groups. Their message is clear: the legacy of the March 1st Movement is not just a matter of history, but a living force for social cohesion and hope.
As the anniversary unfolds, the stories of Ganghwa, Gyeyang, Ongjin, Dong-gu, and Jung-gu will be told anew—at historic sites, in the halls of government, and in the hearts of those who still dream of a Korea united in spirit and purpose. The echoes of 1919 are alive and well, reminding the nation that the struggle for independence was never only about the past, but also about the promise of tomorrow.