Korean Declaration of Independence sought to be registered as cultural property

The March 1 Declaration of Independence printed on February 27, 1919, just ahead of March 1 Independence Movement against Japan, will be submitted for registration as a national cultural property. The Seoul metropolitan government said on Wednesday that it made an application to register the March 1 Declaration of Independence published by Boseongsa, which was possessed by an individual, as a registered cultural property. Registered cultural property refers to cultural asset that is being managed by the authority due to their high value as items for preservation from among cultural properties in the modern era from Korea’s opening in 1876 to the Korean War. The March 1 Declaration of Independence has yet to be designated as a registered cultural property.

The Declaration of Independence is proclamation by 33 representatives of the Korean people including Sohn Byeong-hee, in which Joseon was declared as an independent country with sovereignty. Han Yong-un narrated the declaration at a gathering where the representatives assembled in front of Myeongwolgwan at 2 p.m. on March 1, 1919. The declaration had been printed at two places namely "Shinmun-gwan," a publisher owned by Choi Nam-seon with penname Yukdang, and Boseongsa, the largest publisher of the time. A total of 21,000 printed copies were distributed across the nation, but very few of them have remained today. Five copies of the Boseongsa version have been made public, including those at the Independence Hall, Seoul History Museum, and the family of independence activist Oh Se-chang, and the family of poet Park Jong-hwa.

The Seoul metropolitan city also submitted an application to register as registered cultural properties the Korean language Buddhist scriptures "Joseongeul Hwaeomgyeong" and "Joseoneo Neungeomgyeong” by Rev. Baek Yong-seong (1864-1940), one of the 33 leaders. The Cultural Property Administration will decide whether to register them or not around March after experts’ investigation and panel review.

김민기자 kimmin@donga.com