Declaration of Independence

[Anchor Lead]

Today marks the centennial anniversary of the February 8 Declaration of Independence, which was proclaimed by Korean freedom fighters in the heart of the Japanese capital city of Tokyo. It also set the stage for the March 1 Independence Movement and the establishment of the Korean provisional government. A commemorative event dedicated to the declaration of independence has been held in Tokyo. Let's take a look

[Pkg]

February 8, 1919... Some 600 Korean students studying in Japan gathered in the heart of Tokyo to declare Korea's independence. They also proclaimed a declaration of independence justifying Korea's sovereignty and Koreans' determination to fight against Japanese colonists. Proclaimed in the capital of the colonists' country, the February 8th Declaration of Independence set the stage for the March 1st Independence Movement and the establishment of the Korean provisional government. A special event was held on the eve of the centennial anniversary of the declaration at the YMCA building, where the declaration was recited a century ago. Some 200 ethnic Koreans and students studying in Japan attended the event to pay homage to the spirit of independence. They made a pledge to usher in a new era in the century to come.

[Soundbite] Lee Jong-geol(Feb. 8 Declaration of Independence 100th Anniv. Committee) : "Those heroes who proclaimed Korea's independence on Feb. 8 were the driving force of the independence movement."

Commemorative ceremonies dedicated to the declaration of independence have been held in Tokyo and Seoul concurrently on February 8th. At the Tokyo event, participants personally visited the area where Korea's independence was declared 100 years ago.