Independence Movement Day

Independence Movement Day of South Korea commemorates the March First Movement of 1919 during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea. Activists read a declaration of independence in Seoul, and largely peaceful demonstrations spread through towns and rural communities. Colonial authorities suppressed protests with extensive arrests and violence. The movement did not immediately end colonial rule, but it became a major reference point for Korean self-determination and influenced the Korean Provisional Government established in Shanghai later that year.

National and local ceremonies read parts of the declaration, display the Taegeukgi and remember named participants, including student activist Yu Gwan-sun. Museums and schools examine both organised leadership and the participation of ordinary residents, religious groups and overseas communities. Responsible commemoration acknowledges colonial violence without assigning inherited blame to present-day individuals or reducing the complex history of Korean-Japanese relations to one ceremonial narrative.

March 1 falls on Sunday in 2026. The substitute-holiday regulation therefore designates Monday, March 2 as the next public holiday; the historical anniversary remains March 1. Government offices and most banks close. Under Labour Standards Act Article 55, workplaces ordinarily employing five or more workers must provide government-office public holidays and substitute holidays as paid holidays; smaller workplaces are not automatically covered by that provision. Essential services and businesses using holiday rosters may operate under separate lawful arrangements.