The Fight for Independence

Abstract

The March 1, 1919, Korean uprising against the Japanese (the Samil, or 3–1, Movement) was the Korean symbolic declaration of independence. Because of the tight police and military security measures inside Korea, however, it was evident that the fight for freedom would have to be organized from the outside. The provisional government was established in Shanghai in 1919 in the Shanghai International Settlement, under international control. There the Koreans could operate in relative safety from the Japanese. The Provisional Government considered itself the successor government of the Yi Dynasty. For a time there were three self-proclaimed provisional governments. There was one in Seoul, Shanghai, and Siberia. After a “unity” conference, the government was established in Shanghai. It was inspired by the earlier Independent Association of Phillip Jaisohn, Syngman Rhee, and others. It would be a republic in polity and a democracy in political principle.¹ During its 27 years in Shanghai, its proposed form of government went through five changes, from presidential to cabinet systems. This made no real difference but provided some rudimentary experience in the ideas of democratic government. It was the doughty Kim Ku, instigator of various terrors and assassinations against the Japanese, who became head of the movement and won the support of Chiang Kai-shek.