North Korea Traces Origins to 'Anti-Japanese Partisans'... Highlights 'Yu Gwan-sun Martyr'

North Korea Found in the Regime Origin 'Anti-Japanese Partisans'
Propaganda for 'Strengthening National Defense' Triggered by the March 1 People's Uprising

President Yoon Suk-yeol defined Japan as a 'partner' in his first March 1st Liberation Movement Day speech, while North Korea, commemorating anti-Japanese fighters, unleashed fierce criticism against Japan, highlighting the contrasting approaches of the two Koreas on March 1st. Since North Korea traces the origin and legitimacy of its regime to the 'anti-Japanese partisans,' it mobilized all state-run media to incite anti-Japanese sentiment and used the occasion to promote strengthening national defense against foreign powers.

According to a report by Korean Central Television on the 2nd, North Korean citizens visited the Central Class Education Hall in Pyongyang the day before to honor anti-Japanese fighters. The media stated, "As a nationwide anti-Japanese struggle that left a clear mark in our country's national liberation history, the historical materials of the March 1st People's Uprising, which remain vividly in the memory of our people today, were viewed by workers from all walks of life who could not contain their rising anger toward the Japanese imperialists who brutally suppressed our people's patriotic struggle."

On the 1st, the 104th anniversary of the March 1st Movement (referred to as the March 1st People's Uprising in North Korean terminology), Chosun Central TV reported that people from various sectors visited the Central Class Education Hall in Pyongyang. Exhibits in the education hall included photos taken before the martyrdom of patriot Yu Gwan-sun, independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, and Yun Bong-gil, as well as materials documenting the Japanese imperial forces' suppression of the righteous armies.

The exhibits at the Central Class Education Hall shown in the broadcast included photos of martyr Yu Gwan-sun, patriot An Jung-geun, and Yun Bong-gil before their deaths. Also displayed were materials such as Governor-General Terauchi Masatake's statement that "Koreans must obey Japanese law or die," official notices about the suppression of the righteous armies, and photos of righteous army members being shot by Japanese police or decapitated by Japanese authorities with a guillotine.

A visitor said, "Looking at the photos, I was reminded once again that the Japanese imperialists are a thousand-year-old enemy with whom we cannot live under the same sky," adding, "No matter how much time passes, we will never forget, and must never forget, the past crimes of the Japanese imperialists, and we will definitely settle the score."

On the 1st, the 104th anniversary of the March 1st Movement (referred to as the March 1st People's Uprising in North Korean terminology), Chosun Central TV reported that people from various sectors visited the Central Class Education Hall in Pyongyang. Exhibits in the education hall included photos taken before the martyrdom of patriot Yu Gwan-sun, independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, and Yun Bong-gil, as well as materials documenting the Japanese imperial forces' suppression of the righteous armies.

North Korea refers to the March 1st Movement as the 'March 1st People's Uprising.' Although it is not designated as a national holiday or public holiday, it commemorates the event every year emphasizing its anti-foreign character. In 2009, North Korea issued commemorative stamps, and in 2019, marking the 100th anniversary, it held large-scale events including a report meeting in Pyongyang. North Korean history textbooks also cover the March 1st People's Uprising, and the Choson Encyclopedia introduces Yu Gwan-sun as "a female student who bravely fought against the Japanese imperialists during the March 1st People's Uprising in 1919."

However, since North Korea finds the origin of its regime in the anti-Japanese armed struggle known as the 'partisan movement,' it views the March 1st Movement as a failure due to the absence of "revolutionary party and leader guidance" and because "bourgeois nationalism" could not serve as the ideological banner of the national liberation movement. This contrasts with the South Korean government, which finds legitimacy in the provisional government established after the March 1st Movement. Accordingly, various external propaganda media, including the Workers' Party organ Rodong Sinmun, have simultaneously released articles inciting anti-Japanese sentiment and reaffirming their determination to strengthen national defense.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.