Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
South Korea to Mark 97th Anniversary of Student Independence Movement
South Korea will hold a ceremony on Nov.
3 to mark the 97th anniversary of the Student Independence Movement.
It will take place at Gwangju National University of Education, with about 500 people expected, including students from schools that took part and descendants of independence activists.
The university was chosen because it was one of the schools involved, and it was the alma mater of independence activist Lee Seok-gyu, who died in August.
The movement began in Gwangju on Nov.
3, 1929, and student protests against Japanese rule spread across the country through March the following year.
More than 54,000 students from about 320 schools took part, through demonstrations and school boycotts.
Their actions encouraged the independence movement in Korea and abroad, and their courage and solidarity remain part of South Korea’s history.
The ceremony will include commemorations and student performances at the university.
South Korea will hold a ceremony on Nov. 3 to mark the 97th anniversary of the Student Independence Movement.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. at Gwangju National University of Education.
About 500 people, including students from schools involved in the movement and descendants of independence activists, are expected to attend.
The movement began in Gwangju on Nov. 3, 1929, and student protests spread nationwide through March 1930.
More than 320 schools and about 54,000 students took part in anti-Japanese protests and school strikes.
- Who
- About 500 people, including students from schools involved in the movement, descendants of independence activists and officials, are expected to attend.
- What
- A ceremony marking the 97th anniversary of the Student Independence Movement.
- When
- Nov. 3, 2026, at 11 a.m.
- Where
- The Pung-hyang Culture Hall at Gwangju National University of Education, South Korea.
- Why
- To commemorate the student-led anti-Japanese movement that began in 1929.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Student Independence Movement began in Gwangju.
Student anti-Japanese protests took place across the country.
A ceremony marking the movement's 97th anniversary is scheduled at Gwangju National University of Education.
- Anniversary
- 97th
- Ceremony time
- Nov. 3, 2026, at 11 a.m.
- Venue
- Pung-hyang Culture Hall, Gwangju National University of Education
- Expected attendance
- About 500 people
- Schools involved
- More than 320
- Students involved
- About 54,000
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What people are saying
The courage and solidarity of the students who stood at the forefront of the country's independence against Japanese discrimination and oppression are a precious part of Korea's history and heritage that continues to this day