Wondering about the Independence Movement Day 삼일절 (also known as the March 1st Movement Day) in Korea? Here is a quick overview of this holiday reminding Koreans of the public demonstrations to liberate Korea from Japan’s rule.
About Independence Movement Day 삼일절
Independence Movement Day (삼일절) is a ‘red day’ or public holiday on the Korean calendar. A ‘red day’ means that salaried employees have a paid day off for Independence Movement Day, a Korean public holiday celebrated on March 1. (When this day lands on the weekend, it is often celebrated on an alternate day.)
Independence Movement Day, or Samiljeol, is to remember and pay respect to those who lost their lives fighting and protesting for Korean independence. In addition, it is for celebrating Korea’s ultimate independence from Japanese rule. March 1 is the peak of the campaign that began in 1910 to liberate Korea from Japan.
Independence Movement Day (삼일절) became a national public holiday on March 1, 1949. The day is referred to as samiljeol because sam 삼 is 3 for the third month, il 일 is 1 for the first day and jeol 절 means festival.
History of March 1, 1919
On March 1, 1919, activists who formed this movement read the Korean Declaration of Independence aloud and the leaders signed the document. The leaders of this movement also informed the police of their actions so they would be arrested.
There were many peaceful demonstrations and protests for national independence on March 1. However, the Japanese local and military police struggled to contain the crowds and get things under control. As the protests continued to grow, the Japanese military forces were called upon to suppress the crowds. Unfortunately, this led to a great deal of violence and the massacre of many Koreans.
Although the movement did not succeed in gaining national independence at the time, it was critical in bringing about worldwide attention and helping to establish the Korean Provisional Government.
The following video provides more information on the Independence or March 1st Movement.
Celebrating Independence Movement Day in Korea
Independence Movement Day, celebrated on March 1, occurs in the spring. Therefore, the cold of winter fades and temperatures become less frigid and more temperate for being outdoors.
You may notice many Korean national flags (called 태극기 taegeukgi) in homes and businesses or on the streets to commemorate the day.
Visit Tapgol Park
Tapgol Park (formerly known as Pagoda Park) has a reading of the Korean Declaration of Independence of 1919 annually to commemorate this day as it was done on March 1, 1919.
Tapgol Park
Visit Museums
Independence Hall of Korea is a great place to get more familiar with the Korean struggle for independence. The location has many indoor and outdoor exhibits that will help you to see and understand the fight for Korean independence. There are some exhibits that are graphic (most of those have signs letting you know before you enter).
The Independence Hall of Korea
041-560-0114
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Hangul Address
충남 천안시 동남구 목천읍 독립기념관로 1
The Independence Hall of Korea houses artifacts and documents from Koreas struggle for independence during the Japanese Colonial Period.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is another place to visit to see the struggle of the Koreans during the Japanese colonization. There are actual torture chambers and tools as well as many graphic photographs for viewing. While this part of history may be painful to view, this location shows the unshakeable spirit of the nation in their fight for independence.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
02-360-8590
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Hangul Address
서울 서대문구 통일로 251 서대문형무소역사관
This museum preserves and displays Seodaemun Prison showing the suffering and pain of Koreans during the modern period. Independence activists were jailed and martyred here.
The Start of the Korean School Year
The Korean school year starts the day after Independence Movement Day. The Korean school year runs from March 2nd or 3rd and runs through early February. Since school starts, many families travel or attend theme parks and other family-friendly locations across the country. Kids hang out together and everyone holds on to their last moments of freedom.
Potential Inconveniences on Independence Movement Day in Korea
Obviously, any of the following inconveniences may or may not occur depending on where you live in South Korea and the current social climate. However, the awareness that the following issues may occur may allow you to better plan ahead and avoid stress:
- If you don’t like kids consider spending time at home. Suddenly, kids appear in every part of your life at a time when they ‘should’ be in school. This would be a great time to stay home and catch up on your favorite TV shows or read a book.
- Expect bad traffic. Families travel all over the place for events and fun activities during this holiday. Don’t expect to get anywhere fast.
- Expect hectic parking. Holidays usually mean circling the parking lot or neighborhood a few times before you find a place. Give yourself extra time if you need to go somewhere.
- Expect booking travel to be harder. When Independence Movement Day falls near a weekend booking travel and traffic that weekend may be hectic. Families will be booking all the hotels, camp sites and doing all the activities.
How to Source Additional Information About Locations
If you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, using apps like Naver can help you navigate with expected traffic times.
The KimchiRednecks channel was created in September 2018 by Chuck Whittington and Melissa Edwards-Whittington. They moved to Korea in July 2017 with their three Shih Tzu daughters, Sookie, Minion, and Mayhem.
The YouTube channel started as a way to share their lives here with their friends and families back in the states. They both have a deep love for Korean culture, people, and food and love being able to share that with others.
Chuck Whittington graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelors in Information Systems Management. He has worked in Information Technology roles for over 20 years. Chuck has always had an interest in Korea and has traveled here many times in the past.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christian University with a Bachelors in Bible and a Minor in Elementary Education. She has worked in various roles in customer service and marketing over the years.
The YouTube channel has many interests just like they do because it is an extension of their lives here in Korea. You will often find videos on their channel about daily life in Korea, cooking, foodie adventures, traveling and exploring, computer and tech pursuits, gaming, and working on the Subaru BRZ.
Over the years, many of their friends have joined them for their videos and adventures because they enjoy sharing their lives with those around them. In addition, they add new interests from time to time, like making moonshine in Korea.
Life is about growing and changing, and the longer the KimchiRednecks live in Korea, the more they learn to love this country and culture and all it has to offer.
