South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (C) addresses a ceremony at the parliament building in Seoul, South Korea, 10 April 2026, to mark the 107th anniversary of the Korean Provisional Assembly. The exiled legislative body was formed in Shanghai in April 1919 following massive popular protests for independence from Japanese colonial rule. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
April 11 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties on Friday marked the 107th anniversary of the establishment of the country’s provisional government, honoring the sacrifices of independence activists while expressing sharply different political messages.
At a commemorative ceremony held at the National Memorial Hall for the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, officials including Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik attended and sang the national anthem.
Democratic Party of Korea spokesperson Kim Han-na said in a briefing that the founding of the provisional government was “a great declaration” that Koreans would not give up their sovereignty and would establish a democratic republic.
She added that “anti-constitutional attempts” and “the destruction of democracy” must not be tolerated, pledging to restore constitutional order and secure victory in upcoming local elections.
The spokesperson also referred to restoring order after what she described as the “Dec. 3 insurrection,” reflecting the ruling party’s stance on recent political tensions.
Meanwhile, People Power Party spokesperson Cho Yong-sul emphasized the historical significance of the provisional government, calling it the foundation of South Korea’s constitutional values, including freedom, equality and unity.
He criticized the current political climate, saying respect between political rivals has diminished and polarization has deepened, undermining social cohesion.
Cho said the country now needs the “courage of unity and sacrifice” demonstrated by independence activists more than ever.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260411010003325