The People Behind March 1st: Building a Movement through Courage

When remembering the March 1st Movement of 1919, we usually think of mass protests, declarations, and people filling the streets. Samiljeol's history is not just shaped by moments but by the people behind them. From students, mothers, teachers, and funders, this Korean independence modement was powerful because ordinary individuals chose to show courage in deeply personal ways. 

Here are their stories to remind us why the March 1st Movement still matters.

The 16-year-old girl Who Chose To Use Her Voice

Yu Gwan Sun was only 16 years old when she chose to actively participate in the March 1st Movement in 1919 against Japanese Colonial Rule. 

At such a young age, most teenagers are still discovering themselves and the world; she stood in protest against the Japanese colonial rule. After joining demonstrations and protests in Seoul, she returned to her hometown to help organize the Aunae market protest.

Despite her youth, she was a primary symbol of courage and resistance. Ever after being arrested and imprisoned, she continued to advocate and shout for Korean independence from prison walls, where she later died from torture at just 17 years old.

Her story reminds us that the March 1st Movement was not led by seasoned politicians, but carried by brave, strong young voices.

Independence fighter Yu Gwan Sun, after she was arrested in 1919

The Women Who Fed the Revolution

Oh Geon-hae is remembered not only for her activism, but also for her kindness.

She was born in 1894 in Chungcheong-do into the Boseong Oh clan. Around 1920, she married Shin-Deon Sik who was active in the independence movement, and by 1926 she fled to Shanghai with her young daughter to join Korea’s growing government-in-exile community.

It is said that anyone who hadn’t tasted Oh Geon-hae’s cooking couldn’t be a true independence activist, showing a reflection of how central her support and food were to the movement’s community.

Her role went beyond cooking as she famously took care of Kim Gu, one of Korea’s freedom fighters, after he was shot during the Nammokcheong Incident, providing meals and tending to him during recovery. She tended to other injured leaders, and in 1940, she helped found the Korean Women’s Revolutionary Alliance.

Her resistance echoed through the kitchen, healing the wounded with comfort food.

The Mother Who Helped Turn Scraps into Nourishment

Kim Gu is remembered as being one of Korea’s most prominent independence leaders. He was later the president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. Kim dedicated his life to restoring Korea’s sovereignty and organizing resistance efforts.

But behind him stood quiet, supportive strength.

His mother, Mrs. Kwak Nak-won (a renowned Korean Independence fighter), made kimchi using discarded cabbage leaves that she found in the trash. Through what others threw away, she created sustenance for those we carried on to fight. She prepared kimchi stew that fed Kim Gu and the members of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea during their difficult times in Shanghai. Movements require more than ideology, but survival as well.

The March 1st Movement matters because our independence was sustained by sacrifice at the dinner table as much as in the streets. 

Kim Gu and his mother, Mrs, Kwak Nok-Won

The Man Who Funded Freedom

Ahn Hee-Je, also known as Baeksan Ahn Hee-Je, understood that passion alone could not win independence, but resources were necessary.

He played an important role in providing funds for Korean independence. Records indicate that around 60% of the financial support for the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai came from the company he had established, Baeksan Trading Company.

His unwavering dedication to the outcome of Korean independence was supported by his finances, fostering national media, and establishing overseas bases for independence activities.

The March 1st Movement shows us that resistance requires strategy, investment, and a long-term vision.

Baeksan Ahn Hee-Je Memorial Hall in Busan, South Korea

The Leader Who Built Moral Foundations

Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, was someone who showed leadership early in life.

As a young man, he helped his peers and took initiative in local studies. From his early experiences, he was able to form a moral foundation in organizing communities, educating the youth, and leading independence movements. He believed that independence required more than political freedom as well as strong character and ethical responsibility. 

The March 1st Movement reminds us that true liberation begins with building and educating people.

Why March 1st Still Matters

The Movement was not just a single protest, but a nationwide awakening. Over two million Koreans participated and spared the formation of the Provisional Government in Shanghai and fueled decades of continued resistance moving forward.

March revealed something deeper:

• Courage can begin in youth and ripple across generations

• Quiet sacrifice can sustain change

• Strategy, funding, and education are forms of support and resistance

• That freedom is not individual, but collective

Independence was not achieved in a single day, but carried by countless hands. Some never lived to see August 15, 1945, Gwangbokjeol, also known as National Liberation Day. 

On March 1st, we honor those who sacrificed their lives for Korea’s independence and protecting the dignity they fought for. We honor the living legacy and those who continue to advocate, educate, and protect Korean identity.

Red Cross pamphlet on the March 1st Movement

Honoring the Legacy: The March 1st Collection

At Korelimited, we don't see history as something in the past, but also a living identity. The stories of Yu Gwan-sun, Oh Geon-hae, and countless others who fueled the March 1st Movement are the threads that weave our culture together. 

We take pride in Smil Jeol, as it represents the unwavering resilience and "quiet sacrifice" that defines the Korean spirit. To honor this legacy, our March 1st Collection is a tribute to those who protected the dignity of our nation, and each piece is designed to carry the stories of activists forward.

Wear the history, Carry the legacy

Shop our March 1st Collection Now