Oceania resonating with roars of Korean independence 100 years ago

The roars of the Korean independence movement which broke out around the Korean peninsula 100 years ago was immediately conveyed to Australia and New Zealand, according to a study by the National Unification Advisory Council, ASEAN Assembly.

The roars of the Korean independence movement 100 years ago was immediately conveyed to Australia and New Zealand, a Source: The NUAC ASEAN Assembly

The organisation has initiated the research to mark the centennial of the March 1 Independence Movement, to trace back the region’s any reactions to or awareness of Korea rising up against Japanese colonial rule,

Surprisingly, the regional newspapers such as Border Morning Mall and Riverina Times(1903-1920) in Albury NSW, Daily Observer(1917-1920) in Tamworth, the Maitland Daily Mercury(1834-1939) and the Auckland Star(1870-1945) in New Zealand were the very first media outlets to herald the tipping point towards the Korean independence from Japanese annihilation.

The article on the Korean indendence movement published in the Daily Observer on 15 March 1919. Source: The NUAC ASEAN Assembly

The article on the Korean indendence movement published in the Daily Observer on 15 March. (Supplied by the NUAC ASEAN Assembly)

The Auckland Star in New Zealand also published an article on the Korean independence movement in its edition on 15 March 1919. Source: The NUAC ASEAN Assembly

The Auckland Star in New Zealand also published an article on the Korean independence movement in its edition on 15 March 1919.(Supplied by the NUAC ASEAN Assembly)

 

The first reports on the historic movement were heralded on 15 March.

Following them, most of the mainstream papers around the nation including the Sydney Morning Herald, the AGE and the Daily Telegraph covered the Korea’s historic event with the slightly different angles on the movement.

The Sydney Morning Herald on 18 March 1919 featured an article on the Korean independence movement with the headline of 'Korea, Independence Agitation. Source: The NUAC ASEAN Assembly

The Sydney Morning Herald on 18 March 1919 featured an article on the Korean independence movement with the headline of 'KOREA. Independence Agitation'. Image supplied by the NUAC ASEAN Assembly

Daily Telegraph on 18 March 1919. Source: The NUAC ASEAN Assembly

   The Daily Telegraph on 18 March 1919.

The Age on 18 March 1919 Source: The NUAC ASEAN Assembly

The Age on 18 March 1919

Some newspapers described the Korea’s nationwide upheaval as ‘disturbance, unrest, trouble, agitation, disorder, riot, revolt, rising’, meanwhile most used the term of ‘Korea’s independence movement against Japanese rule.