Gwangbokjeol, celebrated on August 15th each year, marks a pivotal moment in the history of South Korea. This day is a celebration of the nation’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. For over three decades, Korea endured hardships under oppressive governance that sought to erase its culture, language, and identity. The National Liberation Day of Korea is a public holiday celebrated annually on 15 August in both North Korea and South Korea. It commemorates the day when Korean Peninsula was liberated by the Allies in 1945 from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. Korean National Liberation Day commemorates Korean liberation from Japan after years of struggle and oppression. Learn more with KoreanClass101.com! While legislating the Act of National Holidays in 1949, Aug. 15 became a national holiday to commemorate Korea's liberation from Japanese colonization. Gwangbokjeol (광복절), celebrated annually on August 15th, is one of South Korea’s most significant national holidays. Known in English as the National Liberation Day of Korea, it marks the day in 1945 when Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule, which had lasted for 35 years. The Muo Declaration of Independence. On February 1, 1919, 39 exiled independence activists met in Jilin province in Northeast China and proclaimed Korea’s independence. The statement nullified Japan’s annexation of Korea and explicitly called for an armed struggle against the colonial administration. August 15th is the day when Korea was liberated from the Japanese colony in 1945. The Korean government was established in 1948 after overcoming the fuss generated by the liberation. Japan declared unconditional surrender and World War 2 was over, which made Korea restore its own power. Every year on August 15, South Koreans and the Korean population worldwide commemorate Korean Independence Day, which is deeply meaningful to both groups. This day honors the 1945 independence of Korea from Japanese colonial authority, which was a turning point in the history of the nation. March 1st: Korea’s Independence Movement Day March 1st, known as Samiljeol (삼일절) in South Korea, is one of the most significant national holidays in the country. It commemorates the March 1st Movement of 1919, a historic moment when the Korean people courageously stood up against Japanese colonial rule and demanded ind The movement was begun by 33 Korean cultural and religious leaders who, after almost 10 years of Japanese rule, drew up a Korean “Proclamation of Independence” and then organized a mass demonstration in Seoul for March 1, 1919, their late emperor’s commemoration day. In May 1910, the Minister of War of Japan, Terauchi Masatake, was given a mission to finalize Japanese control over Korea after the previous treaties (the Japan–Korea Treaty of February 1904 and the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907) had made Korea a protectorate of Japan and had established Japanese hegemony over Korean domestic politics. An Understanding of Korean Independence Day’s History. The origins of Korean Independence Day can be found in the early 1900s, during the 1910–1945 Japanese colonial era that ruled Korea. The March 1st Movement, which was a reaction to the rising nationalist sentiment in Korea, is remembered on this day. In Korea, National Liberation Day is called 광복절 (gwangbokjeol), which literally means “ the restoration of light day. ” The holiday celebrates the end of a dark time in Korean history when the Japanese occupied the entire Korean peninsula. It’s a holiday with a very inspiring history, and we’ll tell you all about it! The Korean independence movement was a series of diplomatic and militant efforts to liberate Korea from Japanese rule. The movement began around the late 19th or early 20th century, and ended with the surrender of Japan in 1945. In the 1920s, more than 30 Korean independence army units engaged in resistance activities in Manchuria and the Maritime Provinces of Siberia. For example, in June 1920, the Battle of Fengwudong was waged in Fengwutung, Jilin province, China between Japanese forces and Korean independence militias led by Hong Beom-do, and ended in a big victory. Independence Day, celebrated on August 15, marks a pivotal moment in Korean history - the day in 1945 when Korea was liberated from the colonial rule of Japan. This day is not just a remembrance of past struggles; it is a profound celebration of national identity, resilience, and unity. This photo, provided by ESTsoft Co., shows the images of three late Korean independence fighters -- Yu Gwan-sun, Yun Bong-gil and Namgung Eok (from top to bottom) -- which the company recreated with its artificial intelligence technology for a KBS-TV special documentary on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of Liberation Day from Japanese colonial rule of Korea (1910-45) on Aug. 15, 2023. August 15th marks the Korean Independence Day, which celebrates the liberation of Korea from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. During the colonial period, independence activists scheduled speeches, rallies, and protests for the day. In Korea and amongst Koreans in Japan and in Manchuria, these events were often hosted in secret. [157] The newspaper The Dong-A Ilbo openly commemorated the day in Korea on a number of occasions and was punished for doing so. [158] The day when Korea finally threw off its Japanese rulers is known as National Liberation Day of Korea or Korean Independence Day. In 1945, Korea was finally liberated from its occupation by Japan and, exactly three years later, on August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea was officially established.
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