Seodaemun Prison - a symbol of Japanese brutality
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President Moon Jae-in holds a moment of silence while looking around cells at Seodaemun Prison in Seoul, Thursday. The prison was infamous for torturing Korean independence activists during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation. Yonhap
By Lee Min-hyung
President Moon Jae-in delivered an emotional speech, Thursday, at a ceremony in Seodaemun Prison in Seoul, marking the 99th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919.
It was the first time such a ceremony was held at the prison, a symbol of Japanese brutality where Korean independence activists were tortured during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall comes with historic symbols to memorialize independence activists’ sacrifices and dedication to Korea’s liberation during the Japanese occupation.
Cheong Wa Dae said the historic site was chosen for this year’s event to reflect on the President’s strong will to commemorate the historic moment.
A protectorate of Japan established Seodaemun Prison in October 1908 to imprison Korean independence activists. Marking March 1 in 1919, the number of jailed Korean protesters skyrocketed to over 3,000 as a result of the historic movement.
Millions of Koreans took to the streets to protest Japan’s oppressive reign and proclaim the “Declaration of Independence.” A group of 1,600 protesters were imprisoned there, including the symbolic patriot Ryu Gwan-sun who helped organize the movement and Buddhist poet Han Yong-un.
“Independence movements of our ancestors had been fiercer than those from other countries,” Moon said in the speech Thursday. “Korea’s liberation was not achieved by external forces. This is the result of our independence fighters who risked their lives to fight until the nation’s liberation.”
Under the theme “For peace, happiness and prosperity,” more than 1,300 people — including the President and first lady — gathered at the prison museum for the event.
“After the March 1st Movement, thousands of independence soldiers struggled to fight Japanese military and police. Ryu died for her country at age 18 here at Seodaemun Prison. The very movement was the driving force to make Korea a democratic republic,” Moon said.
“We need to finish establishing a community of peace on the Korean Peninsula on our journey to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishement of Korea’s government in exile.”