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
Russian President Vladimir Putin appealed to all the Russian people to unite in a TV video speech on March 23. Saying that the
March 28, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin appealed to all the Russian people to unite in a TV video speech on March 23. Saying that the
A DPRK government economic delegation led by Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations, left Pyongyang on March 26 to
March 28, 2024
A DPRK government economic delegation led by Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations, left Pyongyang on March 26 to
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
March 28, 2024
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival will be held in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, on the occasion of the 112th
March 28, 2024
The 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival will be held in Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, on the occasion of the 112th
A delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the
March 28, 2024
A delegation of the Workers’ Party of Korea headed by Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation left Pyongyang for home on March 25 after visiting the DPRK on
March 27, 2024
The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation left Pyongyang for home on March 25 after visiting the DPRK on
The legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China adopted the national security regulations with
March 27, 2024
The legislative council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China adopted the national security regulations with
Some time ago the State Council of China published the water saving regulations. The regulations reviewed the rich practical
March 27, 2024
Some time ago the State Council of China published the water saving regulations. The regulations reviewed the rich practical
The hexagonal seven-storey pagoda at the Hongbok Temple is a historical relic located in Taesong-dong of Taesong District,
March 27, 2024
The hexagonal seven-storey pagoda at the Hongbok Temple is a historical relic located in Taesong-dong of Taesong District,
Food prices are soaring in the world market and many countries are now facing severe famine, which constitutes a serious problem
March 27, 2024
Food prices are soaring in the world market and many countries are now facing severe famine, which constitutes a serious problem
The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations appealed to the international community to ease the humanitarian
March 27, 2024
The Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations appealed to the international community to ease the humanitarian
A meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 25 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Architects
March 27, 2024
A meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on March 25 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Architects
Jo Yong Won, Pak Jong Chon, Ri Il Hwan, Kang Sun Nam and Choe Son Hui, leading officials of the Central Committee of the Workers'
March 27, 2024
Jo Yong Won, Pak Jong Chon, Ri Il Hwan, Kang Sun Nam and Choe Son Hui, leading officials of the Central Committee of the Workers'
On the occasion of the school-supporting month of March, an educational aid exhibition took place in North Hwanghae Province.
March 27, 2024
On the occasion of the school-supporting month of March, an educational aid exhibition took place in North Hwanghae Province.
Working as the manager of the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory for over 20 years, Kim Hye Yong contributed her knowledge and enthusiasm
March 27, 2024
Working as the manager of the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory for over 20 years, Kim Hye Yong contributed her knowledge and enthusiasm
Player who hardly smiles Kim Il Gyong, who was chosen as one of the top ten players of the DPRK in 2023 again after 2022, is a
March 26, 2024
Player who hardly smiles Kim Il Gyong, who was chosen as one of the top ten players of the DPRK in 2023 again after 2022, is a
On March 20, the State Duma of Russia adopted an appeal of the Russian Federation Council to the UN and international parliamentar
March 26, 2024
On March 20, the State Duma of Russia adopted an appeal of the Russian Federation Council to the UN and international parliamentar
Making the rounds of Changde City of Hunan Province on March 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to ensure food
March 26, 2024
Making the rounds of Changde City of Hunan Province on March 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to ensure food
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
March 26, 2024
Kim Song Nam, alternate member of the Political Bureau and director of the International Department of the Central Committee of
The Korean Central News Agency on March 16 released a detailed report on the successful construction of the Kangdong Greenhouse
March 26, 2024
The Korean Central News Agency on March 16 released a detailed report on the successful construction of the Kangdong Greenhouse
More Articles