A reenactment event honoring the sacrifices made by ancestors during the Korean Independence Movement 106 years ago has resumed for the first time in six years since the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, street marches  and flash mob performances led by high school students received great responses, marking the successful conclusion of the event.  

On March 11th, Busan Dong-gu hosted the “Busanjin Ilshin Girls’ School Independence Movement Reenactment Event” at Busanjin Ilshin Girls’ School. The event was held for the first time since its suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic six years ago. Approximately 1,800 citizens and students participated, and the event ran from 10am to 12pm. The event features three parts: a commemorative ceremony, reenactment street marches and community gatherings. Busanjin Ilshin Girls’ School was the site of the first Independence Movement demonstration in Busan, which took place on March 11th, 1919. According to the Dong-gu Office, students from eight middle and high schools in Busan collaborated to prepare for the event, starting in January 2025.  

During the first part, a theatrical performance about the independence movement was staged, vividly portraying Busan’s history at the time. The play depicted the 1920 bomb attack on the Busan Police Station by Park Jae-Hyuk, a member of the Heroic Corps, which was the first successful act of resistance by the group. Lee Ki-Ho (Dong-gu, Busan), who attended the performance, remarked, “The dialogue captured the old accent elaborately, playing a crucial role in creating the well-structured performance. Since Busanjin Ilshin Girls’ School was the origin of the movement, it was natural for Dong-gu residents and many others to join voluntarily as well.”

The event was at full momentum as a street march began. The march, which lasted about an hour, proceeded from Busanjin Ilshin Girls’ School to Dong-gu Office Square. Along the way, students staged performances reenacting confrontations with Japanese officers. Remarkable scenes unfolded as not only the march participants but also bystanders joined in shouting for independence. Some citizens who expressed their interest to participate on the spot wore traditional Hanbok and marched together. Kim Hyun-Ok (62, Dong-gu, Busan), commented, “With the country in turmoil these days, I participated as a reminder for us to awaken once again. The march felt grander, and it stirred a sense of patriotism within me.”

Later, a flash mob featuring around 100 students also took place. Students from Gyeongnam Girls Middle School, Theresa Girls’ High School, BusanDong Girl Middle School, Busan International Film High School, and Seonhwa Girls Middle School had prepared for the performance since January. Jung Min-Kyung (18), who engaged in the performance, shared, “Dancing together with students from other schools while chanting ‘Long Live Korean Independence’ was a memorable experience. I loved seeing people of all ages waving national flags in unity.” 

Yang Sun-Nam (62, Dong-gu, Busan), said, “Seeing these bright students makes me feel optimistic about a bright future of Korea.” Meanwhile, Kang Min-Chae (16), who marched, reflected, “Participating in this movement made me realize once again how remarkable the independence activists were.”

For the street march, traffic control measures were implemented from Busanjin Ilshin Girls’ School to Dong-gu Office, and adjustments were made to Busan’s Route 87 city bus and Dong-gu Route 2 village bus services.

Reporter Jeon Ha-Eun

Translated by Thadar-Soe