March 1st Movement

[Anchor Lead]

A ceremony marking the 99th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement was held on Thursday at the Seodaemun History Museum. In his speech at the ceremony, President Moon Jae-in urged the Japanese government to make amends for forcing Korean women to serve as sex slaves for its army and its continued territorial claims to Dokdo Island.

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A ceremony marking the 99th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement was held at the Seodaemun History Museum, the symbol of the nation's struggle against Japan's oppression. It was attended by some 1,300 people, including the descendants of independence fighters. In his speech delivered at the ceremony, President Moon Jae-in brought up the issues of ongoing disputes between Seoul and Tokyo and urged Japan to apologize sincerely. Calling the Japanese army's wartime sexual enslavement a crime against humanity, he stressed, that as the perpetrator, Tokyo's government must not say this issue is over.

[Soundbite] Pres. Moon Jae-in : "Just saying that it's over is not enough to cover up wartime crimes against humanity. We must be able to face the truth of history and justice."

The liberal leader also blasted the nation for its continuous territorial claims to Dokdo, that Japan's denial of Korea's sovereignty over the islets is tantamount to a refusal to feel any sense of guilt for its imperialistic invasions. He added, if Tokyo sincerely apologizes for its past and agrees to reconcile, he will work toward developing future-oriented bilateral relations. Moon said he will regard the year 2019, which will mark the centennial anniversary of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai and the founding of the Republic of Korea, as the beginning of an era of peace and prosperity on the Peninsula.

[Soundbite] Pres. Moon Jae-in : "I will regard the March 1 Independence Movement and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Korea as the starting point of establishing permanent peace and prosperity based on peace."

After the ceremony, the historic Movement was reenacted in a march that stretched all the way to the Independence Gate in downtown Seoul.