[One Thousand Characters a Day] Reading the March 1st Independence Declaration Easily and Correctly <3>

by Jo Inkyung

Published 28 Feb.2023 06:00(KST)

Updated 02 Mar.2023 11:02(KST)

[One Thousand Characters a Day] Reading the March 1st Independence Declaration Easily and Correctly <3>

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides daily 1,000-character transcription content for readers of the 'One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day One Thousand Characters' newsletter. The transcription content is carefully selected according to themes on a daily and monthly basis from Eastern and Western classics, Korean literature, famous columns, and notable speeches.
The 'March 1st Independence Declaration' was completed through a process of reviewing and revising a draft written by Choe Nam-seon at the request of the Cheondogyo (Heavenly Way) organization, and 33 religious leaders signed it as representatives of the nation. The national representatives included 15 leaders from Cheondogyo, 16 Christian leaders, and 2 Buddhist leaders. The declaration first listed the names of religious representatives in the order of Cheondogyo representative Son Byeong-hui, Presbyterian representative Gil Seon-ju, Methodist representative Lee Pil-ju, and Buddhist representative Baek Yong-seong. Although the order and spelling of names differ slightly from today?such as 'Kim' preceding 'Kwon' or being pronounced as 'Ryang,' 'Ryu,' or 'Ri'?the 2019 explanatory edition published by the Presidential Committee for the 100th Anniversary of the March 1st Movement and the Establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea arranged the names in alphabetical order. The text contains 957 characters.

Ah, a new world is unfolding before our eyes. The era of oppression by force is ending, and the era of righteousness is coming. The humanitarian spirit cultivated and refined over thousands of years is now beginning to shine the bright light of a new civilization onto human history. The new spring approaches the whole world, reviving all life once again. The era suffocated by frozen ice and biting snowstorms is passing, and a new era energized by gentle winds and warm sunlight is arriving.

Now that the world's principles are being revived, we who have boarded the tide of global change have no hesitation or reluctance. We will protect the freedom rights we have always possessed and fully enjoy the pleasures of a prosperous life. We will demonstrate our abundant originality and blossom the excellent culture of our nation in a world full of spring energy.

Therefore, we rise up. Conscience is with me, and truth advances with me. Without distinction of age or gender, we will leap out of the dark and old house and joyfully and newly revive together with the whole world. The spirits of our ancestors from thousands of years ago help us from within, and the energy of the entire world protects us from without; thus, the beginning is already success. We only need to move forward vigorously toward the bright light ahead.

Three Promises

First, today's declaration of our independence is the nation's demand for justice, humanity, survival, and dignity; therefore, raise only a free spirit and never act recklessly with exclusive emotions.

Second, until the last person and the last moment, fully express the just will of the nation.

Third, respect order in all actions to make our claims and attitudes honorable and legitimate.

March 1, 4252 of Joseon (March 1, 1919)

Representatives of the Joseon Nation

Son Byeong-hui Gil Seon-ju Lee Pil-ju Baek Yong-seong Kim Wan-gyu Kim Byeong-jo Kim Chang-jun Kwon Dong-jin Kwon Byeong-deok Na Yong-hwan Na In-hyeop Yang Jeon-baek Yang Han-muk Yoo Yeo-dae Lee Gap-seong Lee Myeong-ryong Lee Seung-hun Lee Jong-hun Lee Jong-il Im Ye-hwan Park Jun-seung Park Hee-do Park Dong-wan Shin Hong-sik Shin Seok-gu Oh Se-chang Oh Hwa-young Jeong Chun-su Choi Seong-mo Choi Rin Han Yong-un Hong Byeong-gi Hong Gi-jo