[Full Text] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi-do, Commemorative Speech on the 105th Anniversary of Samiljeol

The 3·1 Spirit of Justice, Coexistence, and Harmony,

We will carry it forward even greater.

Respected residents of the province,

Independence patriots and their families!

The foundation and proud history of the Republic of Korea,

we mark the 105th anniversary of the March 1st Movement.

We express our deep gratitude and respect to the patriotic martyrs and activists

who resisted Japanese oppression for the independence of our homeland.

On this day 105 years ago, in streets across the nation,

the cries of "Daehan Independence Manse" (Long live Korean independence) echoed.

The cries of that day were a shout announcing to the world

an indomitable will toward freedom, equality, and peace.

It was a bold declaration to create a "nation where the people are the masters,"

without despairing over the miserable reality of lost sovereignty.

Right now, we need the 3·1 Spirit.

The 3·1 Spirit that kept pace with global trends and led a historic reversal,

The 3·1 Spirit toward a country guaranteeing a dignified life for all,

The 3·1 Spirit that achieved national harmony and unity,

Gyeonggi Province will carry on the great 3·1 Spirit.

■ We will realize the 3·1 Spirit of Justice through ‘Steady Progress’.

The March 1st Movement adopted and expanded the principle of

‘national self-determination’ that was spreading worldwide at the time.

Independence activists working domestically and abroad

responded swiftly to global movements and declared Korea’s autonomous independence.

The March 1st Movement also gave courage to oppressed nations worldwide.

It greatly influenced India’s Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance and China’s May 4th Movement by young people.

It was a major event that cracked the world order centered on great powers.

Does today’s Republic of Korea inherit the 3·1 Spirit?

Facing pressing issues such as polarization, climate crisis, and low birthrate,

where is Korea heading now?

Respected residents, independence patriots and families,

Gyeonggi Province is not going against the global tide,

but is moving forward on the right path.

In climate response, future investment, and livelihood stabilization,

we are advancing steadily in line with global trends.

Just as the March 1st Movement inherited the global historical flow

and left a great mark on the history of national liberation movements,

Gyeonggi Province will lead the way in ‘Steady Progress’ to solve humanity’s common challenges.

We will vigorously move forward on the foundation of the righteous path forged by our ancestors.

■ We will realize the 3·1 Spirit of Coexistence through ‘Humarnomics’.

We will inherit the spirit and values of the March 1st Movement,

which resisted for human dignity and freedom.

Even in dark realities, our ancestors

reclaimed the right of our nation to live independently,

and declared that through this, we would contribute to world culture

with new technologies and abundant creativity.

The creativity and challenging energy of our nation

led to the March 1st Movement and the birth of the Korean Provisional Government.

Gyeonggi Province will carry on the noble will of our ancestors through ‘Humarnomics’.

With a people-centered economic strategy, we will raise growth potential,

and by investing in people, we will build new ladders of opportunity.

Through entrepreneurial governance, livelihood stabilization, and social innovation investment,

we will create a society full of opportunities, a sustainable society,

and a society where everyone leads a dignified life.

■ We will realize the 3·1 Spirit of Harmony through ‘Consideration and Respect’.

On March 1, 1919, the streets filled with cries of Manse

were a place of great national harmony transcending generations, gender, ideology, religion, region, and class.

Under the desire for autonomous independence, everyone became one.

Just now, transcending generations and cultures,

diverse voices united to read the Declaration of Independence.

This is the 3·1 Spirit we must continue now.

Hatred politics, exclusion, hatred, and division are rampant.

It must end now.

We must unite through consideration, respect, dialogue, and compromise.

That is the greatest driving force to turn crisis into opportunity.

Gyeonggi Province will inherit the 3·1 Spirit of national harmony and unity

and move toward the path of national integration.

We will open a “new world of friendship based on true understanding and empathy,”

emphasized in the March 1st Declaration, together with 14 million residents.

Respected residents, independence patriots and families,

there is a history we must not forget on the path of carrying on the 3·1 Spirit.

It is the ‘Seongam Academy’.

From 1942 during the Japanese colonial period, for 40 years, the human rights of over 4,700 boys were violated

by horrific state violence.

The perpetrator state has the responsibility to correct this shameful past

and take the lead in restoring the honor and healing the wounds of the victims.

However, the government is evading that responsibility.

Gyeonggi Province will take on the responsibility the government has abandoned.

In addition to practical support for Seongam Academy victims,

we will directly promote the excavation of victims’ remains starting this year.

We will fulfill our historical responsibility and duty to achieve true reconciliation and integration.

Respected residents, independence patriots and families,

“This day is the most sacred day, the birthday of freedom, equality, and justice.”

These were the words of Dosan Ahn Chang-ho at the first March 1st anniversary event in 1920.

Gyeonggi Province will carry forward the values of freedom, equality, and justice left by the March 1st Movement

even greater.

Gyeonggi Province, walking the right path for the future of the community,

Gyeonggi Province, protecting the free and dignified lives of its residents,

Gyeonggi Province, harmonizing through coexistence and inclusion,

will inherit and develop the spirit of 3·1.

Once again, I read the last sentence of the March 1st Declaration.

“We will only move forward vigorously toward the bright light ahead.”

Gyeonggi Province will lead the way on this great turning point.

To all patriotic martyrs and activists,

I offer my deepest gratitude and respect once again.

Thank you.

March 1, 2024

Governor of Gyeonggi Province Kim Dong-yeon

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