August 15 marks a day to remember the fall of a great power to a new and free Korea. Today marks the Korean independence movement, day that would be forever remember as diplomatic campaign to achieve the independence of Korea from Japan.
Wikipedia reports it is also known as Gwangbokjeol (literally “Restoration of Light Day”), also called as the National Liberation Day of Korea, celebrated annually and is one of the public holidays in South Korea. It commemorates victory over Japan and liberated Korea from colonial rule.
Gwangbokjeol was officially designated a public holiday on October 1, 1949 in South Korea and is also known as Chogukhaebangi nal. (“Liberation of Fatherland Day”) in North Korea.
Reports state that after the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, local resistance in Korea culminated in the March 1st Movement in 1919, which was crushed and sent Korean leaders to flee into China. In China, Korean independence activists built ties with the Chinese Nationalist Government which supported their Korean government in exile (KPG). At the same time, the Korean Liberation Army, which operated under the Chinese National Military Council and then the KPG, led attacks against Japan.
In South Korea, many activities and events happen during the day, including an official ceremony with the president in attendance that takes place at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan or at the Sejong Centre for the Performing Arts. Nearly all buildings and homes are encouraged to display the South Korean national flag Taegeukgi. Not only are most public museums and places open free of charge to the descendants of independence activists on the holiday, but they can also travel on both public transport and intercity trains free Wikipedia reports.
The official “Gwangbokjeol song” written by Jeong Inbo is sung at official ceremonies. The lyrics speak of “to touch the earth again” and how “the sea dances”, how “this day is the remaining trace of 40 years of passionate blood solidified” and to “guard this forever and ever”.
