The World On arirang

A century ago, on March 1, 1919, the fervent cries of a nation are captured on foreigners’ cameras
For 3 months, starting from March 1, 1919, some 2 million people joined in the March 1st Independence Movement, which was soon placed under the global spotlight through the media. The movement, relayed to the press through American missionaries, even had a ripple effect on the U.S. Congress. The New York Times headquarters, the Library of Congress, and the Presbyterian Historical Society in the U.S. provide countless reports by the foreign press, as well as documents left behind by the missionaries, on the atrocities committed by Japan to snuff out the movement.

Coverage of the adoption of the resolution to commemorate "March 1st Independence Movement Day" at the New York State Assembly on January 15, 2019
Marking the centennial of the March 1st Independence Movement, the New York State Assembly passed a resolution on officially commemorating March 1 as the day of honoring Yu Gwan-sun, sympathizing with the historical meaning of the movement.
Our team was there to witness the historical moment when the resolution was passed, hoping to shed light on the meaning that the March 1st Independence Movement holds in world history.

A full account of the Jeam-ri massacre: Historical documents disclosed for the first time on TV
Songsan-myeon in Hwaseong was the venue for the only armed Manse Demonstration that took place in Korea, resulting in the death of two Japanese policemen - the only Japanese casualties nationwide during the independence movement. Angered by the bloody suppression of the Japanese police, the demonstrators attacked the town office and the police substation and took down two Japanese policemen who were firing at them. For the first time on TV, Arirang Prime brings you Japan's investigation reports drawn up at the time, including the autopsy reports of the two Japanese policemen who were killed, as well as a "lumber distribution chart for victims," a precious document that proves the retaliatory arson committed by the Japanese government that burned down 6 villages including Jeam-ri.

The fight for freedom as well as diplomatic and propaganda activities in the U.S. gain momentum after the March 1st Independence Movement
What did the fight for freedom and propaganda efforts look like in the U.S.?
A footage from 100 years ago shows scenes from the First Korean Congress, which took place in Philadelphia in 1919.
We trace back the activities of American individuals who helped the Korean independence activists in Washington D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia.