Next year, the nation will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the independence movement against Japan, as well as the establishment of Korea's provisional government.
As a result,... President Moon Jae-in is calling for joint projects between Seoul and Pyongyang to mark the occasion.
Kim Min-ji reports.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has called for joint projects with North Korea to commemorate the 100th anniversary next year of the March 1st independence movement in 1919 against Japan's colonial rule.
He made the remarks at a ceremony launching a committee to prepare for the anniversary of the movement... and the establishment of Korea's provisional government in exile in the same year.
The president noted that sharing the history of Korea's independence can promote cross-border reconciliation.

"Seventy years of national division have also cut through the history of the independence movement. On April 27th, I and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un discussed ways to push for joint inter-Korean projects to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement and included that goal in the Panmunjom Declaration. I believe that if South and North can share with each other their understandings of the history of the independence movement, they will feel closer to each other."

The committee,... which includes some 100 private individuals and government officials,... will be tasked with preparing events that will commemorate the sacrifices of patriots... and look back at Korea's developments over the past century,... as well as prepare for the next 100 years based on peace and democracy.
President Moon has put great emphasis on the 100th anniversary as he considers the start of the provisional government to be the foundation of modern Korea.

"Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement and the establishment of the provisional government should become the foundation of a just and fair country. Each event will form the basis for pride in our history."

The committee will draw up a comprehensive plan for the commemorative events sometime between August and September.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.