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The March First Movement Spirit Promotion Society is an association that was established with the aim of succeeding and promoting the spirit of the March 1 Movement among the Korean people, to enhance national morality, to overcome national crisis, and to achieve national unification. This material is a book related to the March 1 Movement, published by the Gyeongsangbuk-do head office of the March First Movement Spirit Promotion Society. It was published on September 30, 1955, and was sold for 100 hwan (the monetary unit of the time) per copy. The publisher was Lee Geun-sik, the president of the head office, and the printer was Lee Hwi-bok. Its cover features the design of the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag) and roses of Sharon, and the next page has lines that read “Sun and moon shining together. In the summer of 1955 by Ham Tae-yeong.” The pages prior to the table of contents display the portraits of the 33 national independence leaders, along with those of Ham Tae-yeong, Choe Nam-seon, Song Jin-u, Hyeon Sang-yun, Ahn Se-hwan, Im Gyu, Kim Ji-hwan, Jeong No-sik, Lee Gyeong-seop, Kim Hong-gyu, Han Byeong-ik, Kim Do-tae, Park In-ho, Rho Heon-yong, Kim Se-hwan, Kang Gi-deok and Kim Won-byeok.
In the epilogue, the editor clarified the purpose of the publication, saying, “Although it has been only 30 years since the March 1 Movement started, the event has been almost forgotten in the memory of the people. Thereby, we decided to publish this booklet to let the history of the March 1 Movement be widely known.” Reflecting such intention, the book starts with the chapter “Declaration of Independence,” followed by “Establishment of the League of Nations and the Motive for the March 1 Movement,” “Germinating National Self-determination and Spirit of the People of Small and Weak States,” “Leader Son Byong-hi,” “Principles and Progress of the Movement,” “Solidarity of Three Religious Bodies and the Efforts of Ham Tae-yeong,” “Preparation of the Declaration of Independence,” “Meanings of the Date March First and Methods of the Movement,” “Autographs of 33 Representatives and Printing and Delivery of the Declaration,” “Preparation Completed and Preparatory Meeting of 33 Representatives,” “Development of the March 1 Movement,” “Imprisonment of the Representatives and Results and General Situations of the Movement,” “Progress of Trials,” etc. The book contains translations of the written verdicts of the conclusions of the Gyeongseong District Court, Gyeongseong High Court Special Chamber, and Gyeongseong Court of Review. It also has attached the “Prospectus of the March First Movement Spirit Promotion Society,” which was drafted on June 13, 1955 and urged all Korean people to advocate the purpose of the establishment of this association. This material reflects the efforts of the private sector to live up to the spirit and intent of the March 1 Movement. |
