Diverse events held to mark anniversary of Independence Movement

The nation commemorated the 82nd anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement against Japanese colonial rule Thursday with various events across the nation, most notably at Tapkol Park in downtown Seoul, the birthplace of the independence fight.

With Korea`s national flag, ``taegukki,`` flying proudly over every event, participants honored the memory of the patriots who fought and even gave their lives in pursuit of freedom from Japan`s oppression.

The government marked the occasion with a 10 a.m. ceremony in the main hall at the Sejong Center of the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul. Among the attendees were President Kim Dae-Jung, parliamentary and judiciary officials, and some 4,000 citizens and leading figures from various walks of life.

Each provincial government held ceremonies to renew the spirit of the March 1 Independence Movement, while also organizing events to comfort and encourage surviving patriots and the bereaved families of deceased independence fighters.

Tens of thousands of flag-waving citizens flocked to Chongro street near Tapkol Park, where traffic was blocked for three hours, to commemorate the independence movement and give thanks to those who fought for the cause.

(March 1 Independence Movement: On March 1, 1919, Koreans unveiled ``the Independence Proclamation,`` a declaration to the world of Korea`s independence and a clear sign of its resistance to Japanese colonial rule.)