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The March 1st Movement was a peaceful proclamation by the Korean people for their freedom from the Japanese. Ryu Gwansun became the symbol of this movement and she is one of the most famous independence fighters in Korea.

Early life and education: Gwansun was from Chungcheong, Seoul. She had a teacher, Alice Sharp, who was a western missionary. Sharp referred Gwansun to Ewha Woman’s School, which is now known as Ehwa Women’s University, in Seoul. She left Seoul after the Japanese closed down the school because of independence protests. She returned to her hometown and decided to get involved in the protest movement.

Torture: While she was imprisoned, she had to endure inhuman treatment. She endured the most brutal and barbaric mental and physical tortures. Even through these inhuman tortures, she did not abandon her protest. From constant tortures and sufferings, she died and her last words were “Japan shall fall.” She died along with an estimated 7,500 others who were innocent Korean citizens. Also, approximately 45,000 were arrested in the same period. This nonviolent and peaceful protest is similar to Martin Luther King’s civil rights march. The difference is that Gwansun and her fellow’s plan was secretly done, out of sight from the Japanese.