On 11 April 2025, the South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs hosted the “106th Anniversary Ceremony of the Establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea” at the Provisional Assembly Hall of the National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The event commemorated the historic founding of the first democratic republican government, which officially adopted the name “Republic of Korea” on April 11, 1919, in the French Concession of Shanghai, China, where Korean independence fighters established a provisional government and reaffirmed its foundational spirit and legitimacy.
This year’s ceremony, held under the theme “When Daehan Meets Minguk,” gathered 300 participants, including South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo, Minister Kang Jung-ai of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, descendants of independence patriots, key government officials, heads of 17 veterans’ organizations, and students.
As Yonhap news agency reported, the South Korean acting President, Han Duck-soo, called for national unity during the event. “As we commemorate the provisional government, we must reflect on the lessons of hope, unity, and overcoming crises in the same way that our patriotic martyrs overcame a dark and gloomy colonial rule to recover the ‘light of the Republic of Korea’ through liberation. Let us also go forward together to pass on a free, peaceful, and prosperous Republic of Korea to our descendants,” he said.
According to the press release by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, this year’s 106th anniversary title reflects the historical moment during the first meeting of the Provisional Assembly on April 11, 1919, when the name “Republic of Korea” was formed by combining “Daehan,” representing the legacy of the Korean Empire, and “Minguk,” denoting a nation governed by its people. The theme aims to convey a message of fully inheriting the legal legitimacy and spirit of the Provisional Government that laid the foundation for today’s Republic of Korea.
The opening performance featured a dramatic re-enactment of the March 1st Movement’s cries for independence, followed by a video introduction to the first meeting of the Provisional Assembly in Shanghai, which signaled the founding of the Provisional Government and its historical background. The reading of the Provisional Charter, enacted during the first assembly, was performed by the President of the Korea Provisional Government Memorial Association along with two descendants of independence patriots.
In the afternoon, Minister Kang Jung-ai led the first-ever joint tribute at Seoul National Cemetery’s Provisional Government section alongside heads of 17 veterans organizations including the Heritage of Korean Independence, the Korean Disabled Veterans Organization, the April 19 Democracy Revolution Association, and the May 18 Democratic Merit Recipients Association — in a joint tribute at the Seoul National Cemetery’s Provisional Government section. During the joint tribute, Minister Kang Jung-ai stated that the South Korean government would continue to honor and carry forward the noble journey and spirit of the Provisional Government, which never ceased to regain our lost nation by uniting the will of the people and establishing a country governed by its people. After the joint tribute, Minister Kang also attended the “80th Liberation Anniversary Joint Commemoration Ceremony of the Provisional Government Organizations,” hosted by the Heritage of Korean Independence.
In addition, it was scheduled that Minister Kang Jung-ai of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will visit the United States of America from 12-18 April 2025. This visit, marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and the 80th anniversary of national liberation, aims to express gratitude to UN veterans and inspect historic sites tied to Korea’s independence movement.
Here, you can read the HISTORY OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT timeline:
April 10, 1919: The first Provisional Assembly is convened in the French Concession of Shanghai.
April 11, 1919: The 10-article Provisional Charter is established during the first Provisional Assembly meeting.
September 11, 1919: The first constitutional amendment integrates the provisional governments in Hansung, Shanghai, and Noryeong.
December 1919: The Republic of Korea Provisional Army is created, and a military organization plan is established.
June 1920: The Battle of Bongodong (Fengwudong) takes place.
October 1920: The Battle of Cheongsanri takes place.
January 3, 1923: Approximately 130 members of domestic and international independence organizations convene the National Representatives Convention.
January 1930: The Korea Independence Party, a political party supporting the provisional government, is formed.
January 8, 1932: Lee Bong-chang conducts an assassination attempt on the Japanese Emperor in Tokyo, Japan.
April 29, 1932: Yun Bong-gil carries out a bomb attack in Hongkou Park, Shanghai, China.
September 17, 1940: The Korean Liberation Army is established, commanded by Ji Cheong-cheon (also known as Lee Cheong-cheon at the time).
November 28, 1941: The Korean Declaration of Independence is announced.
December 9, 1941: A declaration of war against Japan is made.
November 23, 1945: The return to Korea follows the liberation on August 15.
All photos provided by Mr. Lee, Seong Won, International Spokesperson of South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
