Suwon Unveils Commemorative Monument for 100th Anniversary of March 1st Independence Movement...'Embodying 100 Years of Memory, the Next 100 Years'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] The 'Suwon Commemorative Monument for the 100th Anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement,' created with funds raised by Suwon citizens, has finally been unveiled.

In particular, the monument incorporates soil and stones collected from anti-Japanese historical sites across the nation as foundation materials, and adds significance by preserving a white paper on the 100th anniversary commemoration project in a time capsule as a legacy for future generations.

The Suwon March 1st Independence Movement and Republic of Korea Provisional Government Establishment 100th Anniversary Commemorative Project Promotion Committee held an unveiling ceremony on the afternoon of the 20th at Suwon Olympic Park for the 100th anniversary monument for the March 1st Independence Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.

The monument, measuring 6m wide, 4m deep, and 4m tall, is made of metal and is shaped like a ribbon forming the number 100, symbolizing the 100 years of memory and the next 100 years to come.

Additionally, a time capsule space was prepared with plans to preserve a white paper on the 100th anniversary commemoration project of Suwon's March 1st Independence Movement as a legacy for future generations.

In particular, from June onwards, the Suwon Youth Korean Independence Exploration Group and the Executive Committee visited anti-Japanese historical sites throughout the nation and collected samples of stones and soil to be used as foundation materials for the monument.

The construction of this monument utilized approximately 400 million won collected through citizen fundraising over a six-month period from November 2018 to April of this year, contributed by approximately 770 organizations and 3,800 citizens.

To commemorate this, large banners displaying the names of organizations and individuals who participated in raising construction funds drew attention at the event venue, and donation certificates for 'New Independence Funds' were presented to representatives.

Executive Committee Chair Kim Jun-hyuk stated, "The unveiling of Suwon's 100th anniversary monument for the March 1st Independence Movement, in addition to Suwon's Peace Girl Statue and the statue of Teacher Im Myeon-su at Pildong, is very meaningful," adding "We will prepare for this monument, built by the power of citizens, to be connected with others and serve as a venue for field learning for students and visitors to Suwon."

Suwon Mayor Yum Tae-young said, "A century has passed since the Provisional Charter of the Republic of Korea advocated democratic republicanism and universal equality, and we have achieved a certain framework, but there remains regret over the strengthening of local autonomy," and "I hope this monument will be sealed with citizens' pride in remembering the 100th anniversary and passing it on to future generations."

Meanwhile, after the unveiling ceremony, the Promotion Committee held a results report and plenary session at the Suwon City Hall annex building to conduct project reports and evaluations.

The committee plans to proceed with renaming Suwon Olympic Park to a name with the meaning of (tentatively named) Suwon Democracy and Peace Park, and will conclude with a dissolution ceremony at the end of the 101st anniversary commemoration ceremony of the March 1st Independence Movement in 2020 and the publication of the white paper.