January 27, 2026Jan 27, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Popular uprising demonstrates Koreans’ will to win back independence

Date: 03/03/2021 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

President Kim Il Sung wrote in his reminiscences With the Century that the March First Popular Uprising in 1919 was an explosion of the pent-up anger and resentment of the Korean nation who had been subjected to extreme humiliation and mistreatment under the ten-year-long brutal “sabre rule” of Japanese imperialism.

When he was young, he joined the ranks of adult demonstrators and cheered for Korea’s independence.

As to the then circumstances, the President recalled that the enemy used swords and guns indiscriminately against the masses everywhere, even mobilizing mounted policemen and troops, and that although many people were killed, the demonstrators resisted the enemy fearlessly, becoming human weapons. Referring to a battle fought in front of the Pothong Gate, he said that was the first time he saw one man killing another and the day when he witnessed Korean blood being spilled for the first time and added that his young heart burned with indignation.

In Kyongsong (Seoul at present) a courageous demonstration was held with the participation of hundreds of thousands of people, including those peasants who had come there from the provinces to attend the funeral of Korean Emperor Kojong.

With the demonstrations in Kyongsong and Pyongyang as the start, in the middle of March the uprising swept across all the provinces of the country, spreading even to the Korean compatriots elsewhere such as Manchuria, Shanghai, the Maritime Province of Siberia and Hawaii and thus becoming truly nationwide resistance. At that time every Korean with a national conscience took part in the uprising irrespective of occupation, religious belief, age and sex.

Through the uprising the Korean people realized that the aggressors would not withdraw and they would be unable to regain national sovereignty and independence if they only held demonstrations and cheered.

The President wrote that the popular uprising served as a serious lesson that if the masses of the people were to win in the struggle for national independence and freedom, they must fight in an organized way with a correct strategy and tactics under the leadership of a revolutionary party and that they must completely reject flunkeyism and prepare a strong revolutionary force for themselves.

In order to soothe the anti-Japanese feelings of the Korean people after the uprising, the Japanese imperialists had to change, although it was for form’s sake, the “sabre rule” for a “civil government.”

Through the uprising the Koreans demonstrated to the whole world that they are a people with a strong spirit of independence who do not want to live as the slaves of others and that they are a people with indomitable stamina and ardent patriotism who fear no sacrifice in order to regain their country.

More From Pyongyang Times

Stand to defend right to self-determination reaffirmed

Stand to defend right to self-determination reaffirmed

The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves

January 26, 2026

The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

New houses built at farms in Kangwon Province

Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new

January 26, 2026

Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new

Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education inaugurated

Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education inaugurated

Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,

January 26, 2026

Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,

Farm Machine Institute inaugurated

Farm Machine Institute inaugurated

The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of

January 26, 2026

The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of

Fish pickling workshop built at Hanchon Fishery Station

Fish pickling workshop built at Hanchon Fishery Station

A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds

January 26, 2026

A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds

Most dangerous country in the world

Most dangerous country in the world

According to an American organization, more than 400 large-scale shooting cases occurred in the US last year, causing over 40 000

January 25, 2026

According to an American organization, more than 400 large-scale shooting cases occurred in the US last year, causing over 40 000

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

New houses built in North Hwanghae Province

Fairyland villages were built in different farms in Junghwa and Singye counties of North Hwanghae Province, epitomizing the change

January 25, 2026

Fairyland villages were built in different farms in Junghwa and Singye counties of North Hwanghae Province, epitomizing the change

European countries resist US’ tariff threat

European countries resist US’ tariff threat

European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n

January 24, 2026

European countries are strongly resisting the US’ threat to impose from February 1 10 percent tariff on those countries which do n

An eternal war trophy

An eternal war trophy

On January 23 1968, the sailors of the Korean People’s Army located an unidentified ship in the waters off Wonsan in the East

January 23, 2026

On January 23 1968, the sailors of the Korean People’s Army located an unidentified ship in the waters off Wonsan in the East

US congressmen criticize attempt to annex Greenland

US congressmen criticize attempt to annex Greenland

The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of

January 23, 2026

The US Senators and Representatives recently criticized the authorities' attempt to annex Greenland. Military invasion of

Yombunjin Coastal Park inaugurated

Yombunjin Coastal Park inaugurated

A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east

January 23, 2026

A new spectacular sight of regional development has unfolded in the Yombunjin area renowned as a scenic attraction on the east

New houses built in South Phyongan Province

New houses built in South Phyongan Province

Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong

January 23, 2026

Several rural villages in South Phyongan Province have undergone radical changes. Modern houses were built in Soje-ri of Taedong

Finishing building materials factory inaugurated in Kaesong

Finishing building materials factory inaugurated in Kaesong

Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with

January 23, 2026

Working people in Kaesong have remodelled the finishing building materials factory. The completion of the factory, furnished with

Long journey made with lofty aim to liberate country

Long journey made with lofty aim to liberate country

In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his

January 23, 2026

In 1925 President Kim Il Sung made the 1 000-ri (250 miles) Journey for National Liberation with a lofty aim to win back his

More Articles