The people of Korea fought for liberation from Japan as Ghana fought for liberation from Britain; a common denominator of history.
As today marked March 1st of the year 2023, it presents an opportunity for sober reflection amidst genuine curiosity into certain historical similarities between Ghana and Korea.
The March 1st Movement, also known as the Sam-il (3-1) Movement in Korean “삼일” which means “March 1st” while “운동” which means “Movement”; summarily, “삼일운동” “the March 1st Movement”.
According to Korean history, this was the largest protest movement by Korean people and students calling for independence from Japan and protesting forced assimilation into the Japanese way of life at the time in their history.
This ‘March First Movement’ is, also, sometimes referred to as the “Man-se Demonstrations.”
Now, in essence, this part of Korea’s history marks one of the first public displays of real Korean resistance during the Japanese occupation of Korea at the time.
The exact period for this history is said to have occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement’s name denotes the literal meaning of the date “Three-One Movement” or “March First Movement” in Korean.
In asking around why many holidays are observed, Korean respondents say this particular holiday started to be observed on March 1, 1949. This means that the incident (March 1, 1919), after 30 years, before it started to be observed as a national holiday.
Well, it seems Korea, just like Ghana, equally had a past of fierce socio-politico-cultural resistance during the old era of forced assimilation into oppression.
This is a symbolic month for Koreans and lovers of history far and near.
Ghana’s Independence Day is in March as well; the 6th of March every year.
…thanks for reading along this thread of historical pieces from my peace of mind; stringing along with brother Zinleri.
Happy Independence Day to all Koreans!
Fighting!!
By:
Zinleri Richard, a Ghanaian resident in the Republic of Korea.
rzinleri@gmail.com
2023-03-01
11:42 KST