Page 73 - NAKS MAC 2026 EBook

2026년 독립기념 ‘코리아 리뷰’ 에세이

Honoring Freedom through My Heritage

Pennbrook Middle School 9 th Grade Esther Hwang

When I think about independence, I think about my Korean heritage, American history, and the
freedom I have today. Growing up as a Korean American, I have learned that independence can
mean different things to different people, but at its core, it is about having the freedom to make
choices about your own life and your own future. Learning about Korea’s independence
movement and America’s fight for independence has helped me understand that freedom is not
something that should ever be taken for granted. The freedoms I experience today exist because
people in the past were willing to stand up for what they believed was right, even when doing so
was dangerous. Many people sacrificed their safety, families, and even their lives so that future
generations could live with greater freedom.

One of the most meaningful examples from Korean history is the March 1st Movement of 1919.
During this movement, thousands of Koreans peacefully protested against Japanese colonial
rule and demanded independence. Korea had been under Japanese rule since 1910, and many
Koreans experienced restrictions on their culture, language, and ability to govern themselves. On
March 1, 1919, Koreans across the country gathered to read the Korean Declaration of
Independence and peacefully demonstrate their desire for freedom. Young people, including
students such as Yu Gwan-sun, showed incredible courage despite knowing that they could face
serious punishment. Yu Gwan-sun was only a teenager when she participated in the movement,
yet she continued to support Korean independence even after being arrested. Her courage
reminds me that someone does not have to be powerful or famous to make a difference.

When I imagine myself living during that time, I wonder whether I would have been brave enough
to speak up. I would probably have been afraid. I might have worried about my family, my
education, or what could happen to me if I protested. However, I hope I would have understood
that remaining silent could mean giving up the future of my country. The people who
participated in the March 1st Movement could not know exactly what Korea would look like
decades later. They acted because they believed future generations deserved the opportunity to
live freely.
American independence also teaches a similar lesson. In the 1700s, the thirteen American
colonies were under British rule. Many colonists became increasingly frustrated with British
policies, including taxation and the lack of colonial representation in Parliament. This conflict
eventually led to the American Revolutionary War. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress
adopted the Declaration of Independence, which stated that the colonies considered themselves
independent from Great Britain. The Declaration expressed the idea that people have natural
rights and that government should exist to protect those rights. When I compare American and
Korean independence, I notice important similarities. Both movements were connected to the
desire for self-determination and the belief that people should have a voice in their own future.
However, their circumstances were also very different. The American Revolution was a war
against British colonial rule in the eighteenth century, while the Korean independence movement
was a struggle against Japanese colonial rule in the twentieth century. The March 1st Movement
itself was largely focused on peaceful demonstrations, while the American Revolution involved
armed conflict. Even though the two movements were different, both show how strongly people
can value freedom when they feel that their rights and identity are being threatened.

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