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Today is Liberation Day, the day that South Korea regained its sovereignty from Japanese colonization.
On August 15, let’s take a look at the meaning and historical background of this day.
South Korea’s National Liberation Day celebrates a proud historical event in the country’s history. The name “Liberation Day” literally means “day of light” and was established on August 15, 1945, to honor the day South Korea regained its sovereignty from the oppression of Japanese imperialism.
It is more than just a day of sovereignty, it is an important milestone in Korea’s modern history.
The historical background and meaning of “Liberation Day”
After being stripped of its diplomatic rights by Japan in the 1905 Treaty of Eulsa, Korea lost its sovereignty in 1910 and became a colony.
For 35 years under Japanese colonial rule, Korea experienced political, economic, and cultural oppression.
However, the Korean people were undeterred and continued to fight for independence at home and abroad.
These efforts culminated in the defeat of Japan in World War II, and on August 15, 1945, Korea finally regained its sovereignty.
Liberation Day is not just a day to celebrate independence, but also a day to celebrate the return of light from darkness, freedom from long oppression, and sovereignty.
Therefore, the term ‘liberation’ was considered more appropriate than simply ‘independence’ or ‘liberation’, and it is a symbolic expression of our nation’s pain and hope.
“Liberation Day” and the establishment of the Korean government
Another reason why Liberation Day is so special is that it is also the day that the government of the Republic of Korea was established on August 15, 1948. Even after Korea’s liberation, the country was unable to fully exercise its sovereignty due to the division of the country into North and South Korea and the influence of American troops in the South and Soviet troops in the North.
The establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea under these circumstances was an important historical event that laid the foundation for the country to become a sovereign nation.
As mentioned in the preamble of the Korean Constitution, the Provisional Government was an important part of the independence movement, and the name Korea was defined for the first time. However, the Provisional Government did not fully restore sovereignty from Japanese colonization, so it is difficult to consider it as fully independent.
For this reason, Liberation Day is more meaningful to many Koreans as the day they regained their sovereignty with the defeat of Japan.
The difference between Independence Day and Liberation Day
Around the world, Independence Day is celebrated as the day a country regains its sovereignty from the domination of another country. In the United States, the Fourth of July, for example, commemorates the day the United States declared its independence from Great Britain.
In South Korea, however, the concepts of Liberation Day and Independence Day are somewhat conflated, and there are many different opinions on the matter.
For example, some believe that March 1, the day Korea declared its independence, should be celebrated as Independence Day.
The 3-1 Movement is often considered a candidate for Independence Day because it was the day that Korea made a strong declaration of independence in the face of Japanese oppression.
However, some argue that the 3-1 Movement is not a good candidate for Independence Day because it came at a high cost due to intense Japanese repression, and a sovereign government was not established at the time.
Others argue that the date of government establishment on August 15, 1948 should be designated as Independence Day. This is because the establishment of the Korean government laid the foundation for Korea to fully exercise its sovereignty as an independent nation.
However, it is also argued that this was only a half-success, as only the South established a government while the North was divided.
The origins and evolution of the name
The name Liberation Day was finalized in 1949, when the national holiday was enacted into law. Prior to that, August 15 was referred to as “Liberation Day” or “Independence Day.” When the government submitted a bill for a national holiday to the National Assembly, it wanted to use the name “Independence Day” instead of “Liberation Day.
However, when the National Assembly debated the name, it was decided to unify all the names of national holidays except Hangul Day with the word ‘gem’, which led to the name change to Liberation Day.
This name change was a result of the desire to emphasize the significance of liberation in Korea’s modern history.
The term “liberation” has a deeper meaning than just independence or liberation, and symbolizes the process of regaining sovereignty that our nation lost under the oppression of Japanese imperialism.
Current significance of Liberation Day
Today, Liberation Day is more than just a day to commemorate the past for the people of Korea. It’s a day to celebrate our nation’s tireless efforts to regain sovereignty in the face of foreign oppression, and it’s also a reminder of Korea’s democratic and independent spirit.
On Liberation Day, the national flag is flown throughout the country, and various commemorative events are held to inspire patriotism.
As such, Liberation Day is an important day to remember and honor our country’s historical victory and the spirit of independence that led to the regaining of our sovereignty and freedom. Through this day, we are grateful for the sacrifices and efforts of our ancestors, and we are reminded of our responsibility to continue to defend our country’s freedom and sovereignty.
In closing…
Liberation Day marks the regaining of South Korea’s sovereignty and is an important day in the country’s modern history. It means “the day the light was restored,” but it’s more than just independence; it’s an important celebration of South Korea’s sovereignty and freedom.
While the concepts of Independence Day and Liberation Day are often conflated, Liberation Day is important because it commemorates the historical moment when our nation regained its sovereignty.
We celebrate this day to remind ourselves of our nation’s independence and to continue our efforts to protect it in the future.
