2027 Independence Movement Day

Independence Movement Day, known in Korean as Samiljeol, falls on March 1 and commemorates the nationwide 1919 uprising against Japanese colonial rule, when a Declaration of Independence signed by 33 national representatives was read aloud in Seoul and peaceful demonstrations spread across the country. It is one of Korea's five national celebration days and has been a public holiday since 1949. Korean flags (taegukgi) are flown at homes and along streets, the government holds an official ceremony, and memorial events take place at Tapgol Park in Seoul, where the declaration was first read in public; at noon the Bosingak bell is rung 33 times, once for each signatory. Museums such as Seodaemun Prison History Hall and the Independence Hall of Korea host special exhibitions. Since it is a public holiday, a substitute day off is designated when March 1 falls on a weekend, and mid-week dates often create a short break. This countdown ticks to midnight Korea Standard Time on March 1.