Korean Declaration of Independence

The Korean Declaration of Independence (Korean: 3·1독립선언서; lit.'March 1st Declaration of Independence') is the statement adopted by the 33 Korean representatives who met at Taehwagwan, a restaurant located in what is now Insa-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, on March 1, 1919, four months after the end of World War I. The declaration announced that Korea would no longer tolerate Japanese rule.

As reported by The New York Times in 1919: "Korea has proclaimed its independence. What was formerly the Hermit Kingdom, in this, the 4,232 year of its existence, declares through a document signed by thirty-three citizens the liberty of the Korean People."

This event marked the beginning of the March First Movement, which was violently suppressed by Japanese authorities, and served as the cornerstone for the establishment of the Korean Provisional Government one month later. True independence was achieved nearly thirty years later, following the surrender of the Empire of Japan at the end of World War II.