Commemorative Speech for the 105th Anniversary
of the March 1st Independence Movement Day
“Incheon, which has carved out a legacy of freedom, peace, and prosperity,
now stands as the pride and joy of future generations.”
To the esteemed 3 million residents of Incheon and the 7 million overseas Koreans,
Today marks a momentous occasion as we reflect on our history’s painful chapters
and honor our forebears’ memory who selflessly devoted themselves to our nation.
First and foremost, I pay my respects to the national heroes
and patriots who sacrificed for our freedom and independence.
Furthermore, my deepest gratitude extends to the independence activists and their descendants.
The Clarion Call for Freedom and Independence from Chang-young Elementary
Celebrating the 105th anniversary of March 1st at the historical March 1st
Independence Movement site brings unique significance to our gathering.
Back in 1919, Kim Myeong-jin, a 19-year-old student
and a third-grader at what was known as the Incheon Public Primary School,
now Chang-young Elementary School, stood up against the Japanese colonial rule.
Along with his peers from the Incheon Public Commercial School,
the forerunner to today’s Incheon High School,
they initiated what would be recorded as the first March 1st Movement in the Incheon area.
The cries for justice, peace, and humanity that rose from Chang-young Elementary
united the oppressed and sparked the movement for freedom and independence,
shaping our identity as citizens of the Republic of Korea.
The March 1st Independence Movement was a national movement,
a united front against colonial exploitation, aiming to restore our national dignity and way of life.
It gave us the impetus for independence and the stepping stone for a new beginning.
Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude and respect to our valiant forebears
who faced adversity head-on and steadfastly safeguarded the honor of the Republic of Korea.
Dedication and Sacrifice Beyond Professional Duty
To Incheon’s citizens and our overseas compatriots:
The spirit of unity and dedication in facing national crises remains steadfast over a century later.
Amid the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, our nation unified to combat the spread,
showcasing our collective strength and safeguarding the Republic of Korea.
Our healthcare workers and medical staff exhibited extraordinary dedication
and sacrifice beyond their professional responsibilities.
Just before the spark that ignited the March 1st Movement, in 1918,
the Spanish flu pandemic emerged, infecting up to 44% of the population at the time,
with approximately 7.42 million people falling ill and around 140,000 lives lost.
Moreover, the year following the March 1st Movement, in 1920, a cholera outbreak
with a fatality rate of 56% claimed the lives of about 13,500 people in a single year.
The colonial Japanese government failed to protect our people from these epidemics.
In 1920, the medical infrastructure was so dire that one doctor was responsible for up to 17,000 people.
Despite these challenging medical conditions,
Korean medical students actively participated in the March 1st Independence Movement.
Incheon: Elevated by Profound Sacrifice and Noble Commitment
Marching Toward Becoming the Foremost City of Happiness and a Global Urban Leader
To Incheon citizens and our global Korean diaspora:
True progress across individuals, communities,
and nations is achieved once we recognize our collective strength.
Despite experiencing the harsh realities of war soon after relishing the joys of independence,
we cherished our dreams and forged remarkable achievements.
Incheon, in particular, has flourished through extraordinary sacrifices and steadfast dedication,
evolving into a sanctuary of peace and a hub of creativity.
This past year, Incheon made significant strides,
encompassing ambition and achievement.
We’ve removed unnecessary political banners that marred our citizens’ living environments
and overhauled outdated administrative structures,
creating a foundation for region-specific development.
Noteworthy accomplishments include making the Yeongjong and Incheon Bridge tolls free
for the residents of Yeongjong-dong, Yongyu-dong,
and Bukdo-myeon and breaking the 24-year stalemate
on the direct link between the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) and Line 9.
Incheon’s ascent as Korea’s second-largest economic powerhouse,
overtaking Busan with a gross regional domestic product (GRDP)
exceeding KRW 104 trillion, is a remarkable feat.
My vision is to further elevate Incheon as the Republic of Korea’s leading global city of the future,
where Incheon’s aspirations become the bedrock for the nation’s progress.
As of this January, Incheon’s population has surpassed the 3 million mark.
A city boasting a KRW 100 trillion economy with 3 million citizens
and standing as the nation’s second economic center encapsulates Incheon’s current stature.
Our goal now transcends these achievements,
aiming to establish Incheon as the premier city of happiness.
Leading the way with initiatives like the “100 Million+ i Dream” to counter low birth rates
and steering toward global urban excellence
through the Incheon administrative reform and the Jemulpo Renaissance project,
Incheon is poised not just to compete with other Korean cities
but to stride confidently on the global stage.
The establishment of high-precision industries, such as biotechnology and semiconductors,
coupled with securing the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA),
positions Incheon as a pivotal global city and a central node for the global Korean business network.
Incheon is committed to fostering unity, cooperation, and coexistence,
embarking on a journey toward newfound global prosperity.
Aspiring to Symbolize Global Peace, Going Beyond Asia
To our fellow citizens and our overseas compatriots:
Today, we commemorate a historical milestone.
The March 1st Movement exemplified a peaceful protest
aimed at mending international relationships
and championing the cause of peace in East Asia and across the globe.
Incheon’s legacy as a custodian of “Global Peace” is profound.
Here, young individuals from around the world made the ultimate sacrifice,
laying down their lives in the quest to preserve freedom and peace.
At last year’s 73rd commemoration of the Incheon Landing Operation,
I proudly proclaimed Incheon as a City of World Peace.
As a city that has secured its independence and triumphed over the adversity of war,
Incheon has emerged as a bastion of peace and prosperity.
It is now recognized as an emblem of peace
in East Asia and, extending beyond Asia, as a guardian of global peace.
We Must Pour Our Energy into Future-Oriented Development
May Incheon Inspire Pride and Confidence in Future Generations
To the citizens and our compatriots abroad:
Learning from past mistakes is not a source of shame
but a mark of respect in the international community.
However, we cannot afford to be tethered to the past indefinitely.
The real obstacle we face is our preoccupation with what has been.
While addressing the issues of the past,
we must simultaneously invest our efforts in progressive, future-oriented development.
I hope Incheon, continuing the spirit of the independence movement
by achieving freedom, peace, and prosperity,
becomes a source of immense pride and confidence for future generations.
Thank you.
