SAMILJEOL (삼일절) - HOW KOREANS COMMEMORATE KOREAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT DAY
- Elena-Daniela Sandu
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
WHAT IS SAMILJEOL?
Samiljeol (삼일절), celebrated on March 1st, commemorates the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919, when Koreans across the country rose against Japanese colonial rule to demand freedom and independence. It is one of South Korea’s official national holidays and a key moment in the modern history of the nation. Rather than a festive celebration, Samiljeol is a day of remembrance, reflection, and national pride.
It is possible to divide the name 삼일절 (Samiljeol) into three parts:
삼 = 3
일 = day / 1
절 = festival day (word suffix)
History
On March 1, 1919, at 2 p.m., 33 activists who made up the Samil Movement's core gathered at Taehwagwan Restaurant in Seoul and read aloud the Korean Declaration of Independence that historian Choe Nam-seon had written. In order to avoid the gathering turning into a riot, the activists chose a more secluded spot instead of meeting in downtown Seoul's Tapgol Park. The document was signed by the movement's founders, who also delivered a copy to the governor general.
2,000,000 Koreans, on average, had taken part in the more than 1,500 protests. The Japanese soldiers and police slaughtered several thousand Koreans. 7,509 people were killed, 15,849 were injured, and 46,303 were detained, according to Park Eun-The sik's Horrible History of the Korean Independence Struggle or 한국독립운동지혈사, which is commonly quoted. Japanese authorities reported 553 fatalities and more than 12,000 arrests between March 1 and April 11. According to them, 158 people were injured, including 8 police and military personnel. Some of the detained protesters were publicly executed as a form of punishment.
The Korean Independence Movement was inspired by the March 1st Movement, and this was essential to the movement's expansion into other local administrations, especially Hoengseong.
South Korea declared March 1st a national holiday on May 24, 1949. The first of the three Taekwondo patterns (삼일 틀 - Sam-il teul) learned by third-degree black belts was given to the Sam-il Movement by General Choe Hong-hui.
HOW DO PEOPLE COMMEMORATE SAMILJEOL?
Samiljeol is marked by ceremonies rather than family gatherings. The South Korean government organises official events, including speeches, memorial services, and cultural performances. Korean flags (taegeukgi) are displayed outside homes, schools, and public buildings. Many people visit historical sites, museums, and memorial halls dedicated to the independence movement and its activists.
WHAT SHOULD FOREIGNERS KNOW ABOUT SAMILJEOL?
Museums such as the Seodaemun Prison History Hall and the Independence Hall of Korea offer special exhibitions around March 1st. While stores and transport function normally, some cultural sites host free-entry days or special programs. Foreign visitors should treat ceremonies with respect and avoid loud or inappropriate behaviour at memorial sites.
WHAT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS ARE SPECIFIC TO SAMILJEOL?
Across the country, reenactments of the independence demonstrations take place, especially in Seoul and other major cities. At Tapgol Park, where the original declaration was read in 1919, ceremonies and educational programs are held every year. Schools often organise history lessons, student performances, and writing contests focused on patriotism and civil resistance. Cultural institutions host exhibitions about independence fighters, underground newspapers, and protest strategies. Some cities organise silent marches or candlelight events to honour those who were imprisoned or killed during the demonstrations.
Tapgol Park
Every year to remember this day as it was on March 1, 1919, the reading of the Korean Declaration of Independence from 1919 takes place in Tapgol Park (formerly known as Pagoda Park).
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
In order to honor the heroic actions of those who battled for their nation's freedom and democracy, many Koreans visit Seodamun Prison History Hall. You can see the suffering and struggle of the Korean people here as a result of colonialism.
The Independence Hall of Korea
The Independence Hall of Korea, which is widely regarded as one of the top museums in South Korea, is another excellent location you might wish to visit on March 1.
The Independence Hall of Korea is a fantastic museum where you can learn everything there is to know about the history of the Korean independence movement, including indoor and outdoor exhibitions, several monuments, and displays of photographs.
WHAT FOOD AND SWEETS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SAMILJEOL?
Unlike Seollal or Chuseok, Samiljeol does not have specific traditional dishes. However, many families prepare simple Korean meals at home, and some people eat symbolic foods such as rice and soup to reflect modest living and historical hardship. In schools and museums, visitors may receive rice cakes or tea during commemorative events. The absence of festive foods itself reflects the solemn nature of the day.
WHAT TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS ARE SPECIFIC TO SAMILJEOL?
A central tradition of Samiljeol is reading or reciting parts of the Declaration of Independence, written in 1919. Children learn patriotic songs and poems related to the movement. Public respect is shown through flag displays, moment-of-silence ceremonies, and respectful behaviour at memorial sites. Many Koreans use this day to teach younger generations about colonial history and the value of civil resistance.
WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS AND CURIOSITIES ABOUT SAMILJEOL?
The March 1st Movement involved more than two million participants across Korea, making it one of the largest non-violent protests in Asian history at the time. Although it did not immediately achieve independence, it led to the creation of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai later that year. The movement was inspired partly by global ideas of self-determination following World War I. Women, students, religious leaders, and farmers all participated, making it a rare example of nationwide unity during the colonial period.
WHY DOES THIS HOLIDAY MATTER IN KOREAN CULTURE?
Samiljeol represents the spirit of resistance and the desire for sovereignty. It reminds Koreans that their modern nation was built through sacrifice, courage, and collective action. The movement is remembered not as a victory of weapons, but as a victory of will. It connects today’s democracy with the voices of ordinary people who dared to shout for freedom more than a century ago.
Samiljeol is not a celebration of victory, but a tribute to the Korean people’s courage, strength and determination. Through flags, speeches, and silent remembrance, South Korea honours the moment when its people stood up together and declared their right to exist as the free nation we know today.