Japanese military police executed Koreans involved in the 3.1 independence movement by crucifying them on a cross in Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do on January 1, 1919. During the 36 years of Japan-Korea annexation, the Japanese military police mercilessly tortured and massacred Korean independence activists. By the end of May, more than 1,500 demonstrations were held by about 2 million Koreans, many of which were suppressed by the Japanese military police. About 7,509 Koreans were massacred, about 15,849 injured, and about 46,303 arrested.
From 1905, Korea was under Japanese military rule, and in 1910, it was formally annexed as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion. In Korea, the period of Japanese rule until 1945 was known as the Korean Annexation. There was widespread discontent in Korea against the strict suppression of the Japanese military. The Samil Independence Movement, also known as the Samil Movement, began on March 1, 1919, a little more than a month after the death of Emperor Gojong, when popular resentment led to mass protests and the proclamation of independence at Tapgol Park in the center of Seoul, the Korean capital. The park was also known as Pagoda Park. It soon spread across the country and became a series of demonstrations showing the independence of the Korean people from Japan.
The death of Gojong, a strong supporter of Korean independence, brought many funeral crowds to the capital city of Seoul for his funeral on March 3. 33 leaders declared Korean independence on March 1, announcing a series of non-violent protests that began across the country. After presenting the proclamation, the 33 leaders called for copies of the proclamation to be given to activists across the country to explain to the police, and were immediately arrested. After that, the independence movement had no major leaders. The protesters were school children, housewives, farmers and artisans, as well as politicians, intellectuals and religious leaders. The Koreans continued to protest until April 15, but continued to be brutally suppressed by the Japanese who changed the way the Koreans were governed. The changes allowed a limited degree of freedom to the press, replacing the military police with civilians.
This movement did not achieve national independence. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, which was crucial in unifying the nation, was established in Shanghai. The failure of the March 1st Movement greatly enhanced the rise of the Communist Party in North Korea. Today, March 1 is a national holiday in both South and North Korea.
