Independence Movement Day

Independence Movement Day, known in South Korea as Samiljeol (삼일절, literally “Three-One Day”), is observed every year on March 1. It commemorates the March 1st Movement of 1919, when Koreans publicly proclaimed their independence from Japanese colonial rule and organized nationwide demonstrations. The movement began with the reading of the Korean Declaration of Independence in Seoul by representatives of religious and civic groups, including the 33 signatories commonly remembered as the movement’s national representatives.

Although Japanese authorities suppressed the demonstrations with considerable violence, the movement became a defining expression of modern Korean national identity. It encouraged the growth of Korea’s independence movement at home and abroad and contributed to the establishment of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai later in 1919. The March 1st Movement also influenced Korea’s modern civic ideals by emphasizing national self-determination, human dignity, and peaceful popular participation.

South Korea designated March 1 as a national holiday in 1949, after the establishment of the Republic of Korea. In 2026, the country will mark the 107th anniversary of the 1919 movement. The day is a solemn occasion for remembering those who resisted colonial rule and for reflecting on Korea’s liberation in 1945, while also affirming the continuing importance of independence, democracy, and national unity.

Official commemorations typically include a central government ceremony featuring speeches, historical performances, music, readings from the Korean Declaration of Independence, and tributes to independence activists and their descendants. Public institutions, schools, museums, and local governments often hold lectures, exhibitions, reenactments, and educational programs about the March 1st Movement. The national flag, the Taegeukgi, is prominently displayed on homes, public buildings, and streets, and citizens are encouraged to raise it respectfully.

Many people visit memorials, independence halls, historic sites, and cemeteries connected with the independence movement. In Seoul, events may include ceremonies near Tapgol Park, an important site associated with the 1919 demonstrations, while communities across the country organize local marches, flag ceremonies, and cultural performances. Television and online media commonly broadcast documentaries and programs highlighting independence activists, including lesser-known participants and women who played important roles in the movement.

Samiljeol does not have one universally prescribed festive food in the way some Korean holidays do, so families generally eat ordinary Korean home cooking or share regional dishes while discussing the holiday’s history. Common respectful greetings include “삼일절을 기념합시다” (“Let us commemorate Independence Movement Day”) and “뜻깊은 삼일절 보내세요” (“I hope you have a meaningful Samiljeol”). Because March 1 falls on a Sunday in 2026, Monday, March 2, is expected to serve as the substitute public holiday under South Korea’s substitute-holiday system.