On February 28, 2026, churches across South Korea became vibrant centers of remembrance and prayer, as two major Christian gatherings marked the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Movement—an event deeply woven into Korea’s national identity and its Christian heritage. At the heart of Seoul, the 39th 3.1 National Reconciliation Prayer Meeting convened at Samsung Jeil Church in Gangnam-gu, drawing together faith leaders and congregants under the theme, "United in the Gospel! Breaking down walls of reconciliation (Ephesians 2:14)." Meanwhile, in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, the Korean Presbyterian Council (HanJangChong) hosted its own commemorative worship and one-day camp, gathering around 1,000 young people from across the nation to honor the legacy of faith and activism that shaped modern Korea.
These events, though distinct in their focus, shared a common purpose: to remember the sacrifices of those who participated in the 1919 March 1st Movement—a nonviolent uprising against Japanese colonial rule—and to pass on the movement’s spiritual and ethical lessons to new generations. According to Christian Today, the Seoul prayer meeting was not just a ritual of remembrance but a call to national and spiritual renewal, echoing the founding vision that inspired its origin back in 1987. That year, Elder Jung Geun-mo, moved during a worship service in the United States, felt a divine calling to pray for Korea’s national reconciliation. Upon his return, he and other Christian leaders launched what would become an annual tradition, rooted in the conviction that prayer and unity were essential for healing the wounds of division and conflict.
The 3.1 Movement itself, as highlighted by multiple speakers, stands apart in world history as a uniquely nonviolent peace movement. Pastor Jung Sung-jin, delivering a sermon titled "For Such a Time as This (Esther 4:1-17)," reminded the congregation of the heavy toll the movement exacted: "The March 1st Movement was a nonviolent peace movement unprecedented in world history, with about 7,500 people killed by swords and guns, 15,000 wounded, and 47 churches burned." He lamented the continuing divisions between North and South Korea, as well as internal conflicts, urging, "Let us pray first for a heart that mourns. God hears the prayers of those who mourn. Now is the time to pray for the nation with a broken heart."
This theme of communal mourning and responsibility resonated throughout the event. Pastor Jung called for wisdom in rediscovering the lost spirit of community, noting, "Society has rapidly industrialized and gained material wealth, but we have lost the communal spirit of living together. If we do not strive to live together, we will perish together." He pressed the faithful to shoulder one another’s burdens and to recognize their mission: "A person who lives with a sense of mission is happy, but one without a mission is no more than a parasite."
The day’s program included prayers for national leaders, unity within the Korean church, and the healing and reunification of the Korean Peninsula. The event was co-hosted by various Christian organizations, including Samsung Jeil Church, Chungmu Holiness Church, and the Korea Christian Workplace Mission Federation, reflecting a broad ecumenical spirit.
A seminar followed, delving into the philosophical and theological underpinnings of the 3.1 Movement. Professor Im Hee-guk, a historian from Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, explored the movement’s Declaration of Independence and its vision for peace. He traced its roots to global upheavals such as World War I, the Russian Revolution, and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s principle of national self-determination. According to Professor Im, “The Declaration of Independence expressed Korea’s recovery of sovereignty as part of a ‘world reformation,’ aligning national self-determination with global change.” He contrasted Japan’s imperialist vision of "East Asian peace"—built on dominance and force—with the Korean vision of peace based on equality, coexistence, and mutual respect among nations.
Professor Im further connected these aspirations to biblical themes, stating, "The peace spoken of in the Bible is not something humans can create by their own strength, but a gift from God." He invoked the imagery of Isaiah, where predatory animals live peacefully alongside their prey, as an eschatological vision of a just and harmonious world. "The peace pursued by the March 1st Movement’s Declaration of Independence harmonizes with this biblical vision," he said. Yet, he acknowledged that the movement’s dream of East Asian peace was not realized in its time, as Korea endured decades more of Japanese colonial rule. "The peace prophesied in Isaiah 11 is not for today, but for the imminent future—a peace for which we must wait with both urgency and patience," he concluded.
As the seminar closed, participants joined in group prayers and patriotic songs, recommitting themselves to the ongoing work of reconciliation and peace. Elder Jung Geun-mo, reflecting on nearly four decades of prayer meetings, reminded attendees, "March 1st was the day when our entire nation rose as one. But today, we live amid regional, generational, and ideological conflicts and deep distrust. True reconciliation is difficult to achieve by human strength alone, so we kneel before God in prayer."
Meanwhile, in Hwaseong-si, the Korean Presbyterian Council’s event at Bongdam Central Church took a generational approach, focusing on instilling the faith and values of the 3.1 Movement in Korea’s youth. The commemoration brought together about 1,000 young participants from across the country, according to Kidok News. The worship service, led by Pastor Kwon Tae-jin, centered on the message, "Arise, People of the Holy Spirit! (Esther 4:13-17)," calling on young Christians to remain rooted in faith even as they pursue success in the wider world. "Even after Esther became queen, she never forgot the faith education she received from Mordecai," Pastor Kwon said, urging the youth to "become the Esthers and Yu Gwan-suns of this nation, saving the country by holding firmly to God’s word."
Church leaders delivered messages of encouragement, highlighting the historical role of Christians in the 3.1 Movement and the need for spiritual revival and unity today. HanJangChong’s president, Pastor Lee Sun, emphasized, "The reason we can worship freely today in the Republic of Korea is because there were those who dedicated themselves to the nation. Let us also become those who love and save the country." Pastor Kang Dong-kyu, general secretary of the Reformed Mission, added, "The March 1st Movement was an event where the church, refusing to ignore the pain of the nation, became a beacon of hope."
The commemoration was not limited to worship. After a rousing session in which all participants stood and shouted, "Long live Korean independence! Long live the Republic of Korea! Long live the Korean church!"—recreating the historic cries of 1919—the event transitioned into a one-day camp. Here, youth heard lectures and participated in praise sessions tailored to their perspective, with speakers offering practical guidance on living as Christians in daily life. The event, co-organized by HanJangChong’s 3.1 Movement Prayer Committee and Next Generation Committee, aimed to inspire faith and a sense of national responsibility among young believers.
Both gatherings, in their own way, underscored the enduring connection between Korea’s Christian faith and its pursuit of justice, peace, and unity. As the nation continues to grapple with division and discord, these commemorations serve as reminders that the struggle for reconciliation—and the hope for a more just society—remains as urgent as ever.