Remembering the Spirit of Yu Gwan-sun: A Journey Through History
On March 1, 1919, the cry for Korean independence shook the Korean Peninsula, and now, 107 years have passed. As we approach March 1, 2026, the Chungnam Provincial Citizen Reporters visited Cheonan and Gongju in Chungcheongnam-do, as well as Seodaemun in Seoul, to trace the remnants of that day. We aimed to follow the footsteps of Yu Gwan-sun, a fierce independence activist born in Chungnam, whose life should not be remembered merely as a figure in textbooks.
Upon entering the Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Byeongcheon, Cheonan, visitors are first greeted by an exhibition space chronologically detailing her life. Born in 1902 in Cheonan, Yu Gwan-sun was a dedicated student from a young age, nurturing her national consciousness while studying at Ewha Womans University. The exhibition vividly brings to life her image as she shouted for independence at the Aunae Marketplace in 1919 through photographs, records, and models. One side of the exhibition hall contains records from her imprisonment and the circumstances of her time at Seodaemun Prison, making it hard to leave. Her unwavering determination in the face of torture and oppression resonates strongly.
After leaving the memorial hall, we moved to the nearby Aunae Marketplace. Today, it features a renovated plaza and memorial facilities, but on April 1, 1919, thousands gathered here to shout for independence. At the center of this was Yu Gwan-sun. Standing and looking down at the site, I could easily imagine the crowd waving their Korean flags. This space quietly reminds us that it was not just a simple protest but a life-and-death decision.
We then traveled to Gongju to visit the former Myeongseon Girls' School, now known as Yeongmyeong School. The founder, Mrs. Sharpe, brought the eleven-year-old Yu Gwan-sun from Cheonan to Gongju, supporting her studies and religious activities for two years, and eventually paving the way for her to study in Seoul at Ewha Womans University in 1916.
A sign at the school designated by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs reads, 'Yeongmyeong School - Preparation Site for the March 1st Movement.' This was where students and teachers collaborated to print the Declaration of Independence and prepare the Korean flags. Yu Gwan-sun, still a young student, pondered the future of her nation and prepared to take action. Looking at the school building and surrounding scenery, I recalled the voices of discussion and resolution that must have echoed in the courtyard at that time.
On a hill near Yeongmyeong School stands a statue of Yu Gwan-sun. Climbing the stairs, the statue, confidently standing against the backdrop of the Korean flag, catches the eye. Holding the flag and gazing ahead, she appears resolute and strong. The reliefs on either side depict scenes from the independence movement, illustrating that it was not just the story of one individual but the history of the entire populace. Standing there for a while, the sight of the statue alongside the fluttering flag seemed to pose a question to us today: How much do we remember her spirit?
Finally, we visited Seodaemun Prison in Seoul, where Yu Gwan-sun endured severe torture. Facing the red brick building, narrow cells, and cold iron doors, the history felt tangible, beyond mere lines in a history book. Reflecting on the martyrdom of Yu Gwan-sun, who passed away at just twenty, my steps grew heavy. Yet, I was reminded that it is because of such sacrifices that today's Republic of Korea exists.
The March 1st Movement is not just a public holiday. It is a day to remember the courage and determination of a young girl who began her cry for independence in Aunae Marketplace and endured in the cold cells of Seodaemun Prison. On March 1, 2026, the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Movement, we must once again walk in her footsteps. The life of Yu Gwan-sun, an independence activist from Chungnam, is not just a story of the past but a value we must uphold today.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224198263932
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