Celebrating and Commemorating Korean Independence Day

Scott F. Gray, Ed.D.

at the Korean Bell of Friendship, San Pedro, California

August 15, 2019

Thirty-five years ago was 1984. A generation and a half.

Thirty-five years is how long Korea was occupied. From 1910.

It was on August 15, 1945 that Korea was liberated from the occupation of Japan. And three years later, South Korea would celebrate the first Gwangbokjeol, which means “bringing back the light.” “Gwang” means light; “Bok” means return; “Jeol” means festival day. Returning the light festival.

In the North, it is known as Chogukhaebangŭi nal (조국해방의 날; literally Liberation of the Fatherland Day)

In the South this day also commemorates the formation in 1948 of the first independent government, which was under the leadership of Syngman Rhee.

There are other holidays that commemorate similar or related milestones in the history of Korea. But we are here today to commemorate Gwangbokjeol. And so we shall. With vigor and glory. Because that it is what it symbolizes for the Korean people. And it can be a symbol for all people.

Now, we know that August 15 is the day when Japan formally announced its unconditional surrender to the Allied forces to stop the hostilities of World War II. And the armistice would be signed in September.

The complexity of the history of Asia and, especially, Western involvement there during the last part of the 19th Century and first half of the 20th Century, is daunting.

And if we are ever to understand World War II in the Pacific, or indeed if we are to understand the current situations there, we must understand that history.

But that is not what we are here to celebrate today. This day is about the independence of Korea.

And Korean independence is so very precious in large part because it finally ended the atrocities that the people of Korea suffered during those 35 years of Imperial rule.

The Korean people were tortured. The Korean people were suppressed. Korea and its people as human entities were not just devalued, but it was intended that they be dehumanized.

Korean people were forced to take Japanese names, this as part of the effort to steal their national identity and obstruct any movement toward independence.

And we know about the Korean women forced to become sex slaves, along with countless other atrocities.

This is not to say the Korean people didn’t fight back; there were very active efforts to resist. And we recognize those who strived, many of whom died, rightfully as heroes today.

Japan justified its horrible actions by claiming Korea was its colony.

We do not recount these horrific circumstances to focus on them. Indeed, we do not focus on the circumstances of independence as the only means of celebrating it.

Instead, we face this difficult history to understand the context of Korean independence and to remind ourselves that the quest for freedom, for liberty must never end.

We know that despite all the efforts at suppression and torture, the Korean people were not dehumanized. Within them burned the light of liberty and the certain knowledge that one day they would be free.

But we must remember that liberty is our ongoing quest NHK television recently said Japan’s efforts to marginalize South Korea in trade was the result of “mounting tension between the countries over disagreements related to compensation for wartime labor.”

Indeed.

It is not for me to decide whether Japan’s 1965 agreement with South Korea settled the matter of its wartime atrocities. That discussion will and is taking place at very high levels.

But it is for each of us to remember why this day of all days stands out for the people of Korea, South and North, and why it ought to stand out for people of all nations, free or enslaved.

Although the quotation is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, it was apparently an Irish orator and judge, John Philpot Curran, who said something along the lines of, “eternal vigilance is the price we pay for liberty.”

To some this means we must have vast standing armies and navies and now air forces and even space forces.

To others, though, it means that we must stand up for our liberty. As Korea learned, your liberty is taken from you right on your own shores, right in your own beloved homeland.

The North has a very pragmatic view of this day: Liberation of the Fatherland.

The South has a more poetic and, I think, forward-thinking view: The Day the Light Returned.

Through the Grace of God, Gen. MacArthur, and an international fighting force—especially including the Korean people—that peninsula was gloriously liberated on this day seventy-four years ago.

But it has been through the grace of the Korean people that the South has continued to show us what happens when the light returns. We are able to appreciate the great art of Korea because of people who let the light show. We see the great economic success driven by people seeking the light that liberates them and empowers them.

This is a national holiday in both parts of Korea. And it is a day observed from afar by those of us gathered here and elsewhere.

It is a day to look back, yes, and honor those who suffered for today’s freedom.

But let us here make it a day to look ahead. We look ahead not only to the great possibilities, but to the great challenges that we all face in what should be our community of nations.

It was President Roosevelt who enunciated four universal freedoms:

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of worship
• Freedom from want
• Freedom from fear

These freedoms, he said, were not a “vision of a distant millennium.” Rather, he said they were, “a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation.”

And they applied, he said, “everywhere in the world.”

In this millennium we have the opportunity to bring his great vision to reality. You and I can and should defend freedom of speech and freedom of worship. You and I can and should ensure that no one is wanting and that no one lives in fear.

We can do this through our actions and the expression of our beliefs that everyone of us on this Earth has these inherent rights. We can and should take the opportunity that representative democracies present: to make our feelings and beliefs known to those who represent us.

It is only through our actions that these great rights will be protected for us. Or that they may become reality for the many still without them.

Let us recommit ourselves, each of us, this day and every day that follows to ensuring that the light of liberty continues to shine for the Korean people, for the American people, for all people. Let us look ahead to a world where there is universally freedom of speech and freedom of worship and freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Let us here learn from the people of Korea and make it a day to revel in light as the embodiment of liberty and these freedoms.

We owe no less to the brave Korean people who withstood those 35 years of servitude. We can honor them in no greater way than to be lights for liberty for all.

Thank you.