The 100th anniversary of the Korean provisional government

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the provisional government of Korea. The government had celebrated the event on April 13 every year, but changed to April 11 from last year considering that academics advised that it is historically proper to celebrate it on April 11 as the name of a country and the provisional charter were determined on the day.

Based on all Korean citizens’ passion toward independence sparked by the March 1st Movement, the provisional government was established to instill vigor in efforts to enable liberation and establishment of a country. That has led to the birth of the Republic of Korea that we are proud of today. The government plans to make up a committee and carry out large-scale celebratory and other events through this year in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement and the provisional government of Korea. However, there have been insufficient basic research and historic data to tell us about the provisional government and independence movements at home and abroad.

Much of governmental data was taken away by Japanese rulers who raided the Shanghai-based government on April 29, 1932 when Korean independence activist Yoon Bong-gil threw a bomb to protest Japanese imperialism. A majority of such data have not been restored, leaving us no option but to depend on investigation records, verdicts and administration documents kept by Japanese rulers to study the history of the Korean provisional government and independence activism. There must have been many hidden facts about the provisional government and those who fought for independence on their own or sponsored other activists even without their family knowing on the Japanese-ruled peninsula. However, few occasions have been recorded and revealed to the next generations except the ones involving obvious events. Regrettably, Korean activists would not write and record their independence activities in fear of such records falling into the hands of Japanese invaders. Due to the fact, we only are left with little data on the provisional government and independence activism. Such ignorance and lack of knowledge has embroiled us in unnecessary and unproductive controversy, making the 100th anniversary pale into insignificance.

It has been said that the missing data highly likely has been kept in Japan and North Korea. It is needed to track the traces of their existence and have access at least to their copies. Without such fundamental efforts the relevant celebratory events and the spirits of the provisional government will only been left meaningless and vain. It is time to deeply consider why we are supposed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the provisional government.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the provisional government of Korea. The government had celebrated the event on April 13 every year, but changed to April 11 from last year considering that academics advised that it is historically proper to celebrate it on April 11 as the name of a country and the provisional charter were determined on the day.

Based on all Korean citizens’ passion toward independence sparked by the March 1st Movement, the provisional government was established to instill vigor in efforts to enable liberation and establishment of a country. That has led to the birth of the Republic of Korea that we are proud of today. The government plans to make up a committee and carry out large-scale celebratory and other events through this year in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement and the provisional government of Korea. However, there have been insufficient basic research and historic data to tell us about the provisional government and independence movements at home and abroad.

Much of governmental data was taken away by Japanese rulers who raided the Shanghai-based government on April 29, 1932 when Korean independence activist Yoon Bong-gil threw a bomb to protest Japanese imperialism. A majority of such data have not been restored, leaving us no option but to depend on investigation records, verdicts and administration documents kept by Japanese rulers to study the history of the Korean provisional government and independence activism. There must have been many hidden facts about the provisional government and those who fought for independence on their own or sponsored other activists even without their family knowing on the Japanese-ruled peninsula. However, few occasions have been recorded and revealed to the next generations except the ones involving obvious events. Regrettably, Korean activists would not write and record their independence activities in fear of such records falling into the hands of Japanese invaders. Due to the fact, we only are left with little data on the provisional government and independence activism. Such ignorance and lack of knowledge has embroiled us in unnecessary and unproductive controversy, making the 100th anniversary pale into insignificance.

It has been said that the missing data highly likely has been kept in Japan and North Korea. It is needed to track the traces of their existence and have access at least to their copies. Without such fundamental efforts the relevant celebratory events and the spirits of the provisional government will only been left meaningless and vain. It is time to deeply consider why we are supposed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the provisional government.


Chin-Ku Lee sys1201@donga.com