"Hurray for the independence of Korea "
Flocks of people marched on streets throughout the country, cheering Korea's independence from Japan's colonial rule decades ago.
Ninety-four years ago on March 1st, 1919, Koreans here and abroad declared independence and launched a peaceful demonstration, calling for an end to the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula.
Although Korea had to endure nearly 30 more years before liberation, Koreans today still remember and pay tribute to independence activists who fought for sovereignty during the month-and-a-half long movement.
At the site of former Seodaemun prison in central Seoul, where thousands of protesters faced severe torture and even death at the hands of their Japanese oppressors,.. visitors, many of them with their families, wrote messages of gratitude to the activists and martyrs.
Children got a chance to learn more about Korea's history by participating in various activities.
At noon on Friday, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon joined 11 others, including descendants of some of the activists, to strike the bell at Bosingak 33 times.
The ceremony, which began in 1953, is meant to commemorate the 33 leaders who initially declared Korea's independence and distributed copies of that declaration throughout the country.
Choi You-sun, Arirang News.

Reporter : yschoi@arirang.co.kr