A Closer Look at the Declaration of Independence and the Proclamation of Korean Independence

When Thomas Jefferson, with the help of James Madison and Benjamin Franklin, wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776, it became one of the most important documents in American history. Originally a list of grievances to King George III of England over the abuses suffered in the colonies which were his own citizens, it was signed by 56 delegates of the Continental Congress. Among them were notable figures in American history such as Samuel Adams, John Adams, and John Hancock, the latter of which had written his signature in such a large print so that King George III would be able to read it without his reading glasses.

 

Within the document, catalog the unfair treatment colonists had been receiving. They had been subject to taxation without representation, quartering British soldiers in their homes, denied the ability to trade with other countries or entities, deprived of proper trials, and suffered various attacks from British soldiers such as burning towns and ransacking. The document’s keystones also became the foundation for the principles of which the United States of America’s government was later founded on- such that the government derives their powers from the consent of the governed.

 

However, what most Americans may not be aware of is the Proclamation of Korean Independence, which, when read, can find Americans reminiscent of their own Declaration of Independence. In the 20^th century, when Japan’s goal of the occupation of the Korean peninsula became complete, the Korean people began their arduous journey to retain their identity and take back their country. Under Japanese occupation(1910-1945), the death grip was tightened continuously, with laws being rolled out with the explicit intent to erase their identity. Laws such as ones requiring Korean people to adopt Japanese surnames in order to do anything official- even being treated at a hospital, scrapping teaching Korean language and history from school curriculum, and even banning the use of the Korean language in schools altogether.

 

Perhaps most inauspicious, throughout Japan’s occupation of Korea, they fervently pushed out messages of content to the international community. The overall consensus, according to the messages, were that the Korean people were happy with Japan being there and what they were achieving. Posters were erected with slogans and pictures depicting Korea and Japan working together and achieving together. However, in reality, it was anything but. Realizing the strength these sort of messages had on the international stage, there needed to be a way to show that these messages were false and that their country was instead being forcefully occupied. But more than anything, there needed to be something to rally the people.

 

With this came the Proclamation of Korean Independence, a document that, signed by 33 Korean freedom fighters and advocates, had also succeeded in its purpose in speaking to its people. It struck in them the national unity and national pride that had been necessary for its own movement to take place. It is similar to the American Declaration of Independence which later, in respect, went on to not only be a message to the king of England but to inspire the American people like how the Proclamation of Korean Independence did for its people during Japanese occupation. So are there similarities within the documents as well? Let’s view some examples:

In the opening of the Declaration of Independence, there is an emphasis on the idea of how “all men are created equal”, which is also apparent in the Proclamation of Korean Independence where the idea is echoed as “the equality of all humans”. These words were both powerful and meaningful in both movements. In America’s case, American colonists were British citizens, however were treated lower than such. In Korea’s case, the Korean people were treated as lower class citizens to the Japanese. Thus, this idea that all humans are equal attacks these ideas and structures that are put in place to insist that they are not. In addition to this, you can find another similarity in these examples as both mention inherent or unalienable rights that people should have. In the Declaration of Independence, they are “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and in the Proclamation of Korean Independence, they are “independence and self-respect”. Both documents are arguing that humans have certain rights that should never be violated under any circumstances- a clear message that under the current powers, they have been.

In these excerpts, both address the abuse directly- both referring to it as tyranny. Tyranny, by definition, is a cruel and oppressive government or rule. Under Great Britain’s rule of the American colonies, they had violated the individual rights of their citizens, thus is highlighting in the Declaration of Independence as so. And with zero representation in the laws that are passed that violate these rights, it is referred to as “absolute tyranny”. Interestingly, in the Proclamation of Korean Independence, it is referred to as “foreign tyranny”. Of course, Japan is a foreign country occupying Korea, however it is interesting because it highlights the difference between the two situations all the while drawing from similar principles. In America’s case, it wasn’t quite a foreign entity that was ruling over them, while in Korea’s case, it indeed was. However in both cases it is an assertion of what the situation was. In Korea’s case, this use was crucial as the world was led to believe it wasn’t so.

In the Declaration of Independence, the bulk of its nature is a list of grievances and Britain’s atrocities- and that’s where it seems to diverge with the Proclamation of Korean Independence. In the Proclamation, it is clearly stated that that was not the point of the document. Rather, to state the rights of Korean citizens and become a more persuasive piece, focusing the bulk of its content on what would be morally good and right. However, this list can see similarities with the tail-end of the Declaration. In the closing para of the Declaration of Independence, they state what their terms are, in writing the document and its purpose. In the Proclamation, it is the document’s main focus from beginning to end, but like the Declaration, states its terms and purpose. However where the Declaration of Independence stands to be more direct and matter-of-fact, the Proclamation of Korean Independence uses more persuasive language, rather than a matter-of-fact tone. It tries to bring reason and appeal to its opposition.

What is written in these closing sentences of each document is perhaps just as important as the main context as well. In both, they end with discussing ‘honor’. This is important because it asserts that what these documents are not is dishonorable. Because it could be seen as “rebelling” against the government and very much illegal, it can be seen as immoral or dishonorable. However, in both cases, the author wants to make it clear that their words were written with honorable intentions and it is because of honor that they must write.

 

In the end, the Declaration of Independence became the final call before the Revolutionary War which would ultimately end in Britain’s defeat. It succeeded in becoming a unifying voice for the colonies and striking inspiration. The Proclamation of Korean Independence, in retrospect, accomplished the same thing as it was copied and read aloud across the country as a way to strike inspiration in its people- which it did. The following event became the largest protest in Korean history which began on March 1^st, 1919, now aptly named the March First Movement or Samil Independence Movement. The movement lasted 12 months with approximately 2 million people in participance- 10% of the total population of Korea at the time- across more than 1,500 demonstrations until the Japanese were able to suppress it. However, as the recorded number of 1,500 was recorded by Japan at the time, this number is estimated to be actually much higher. By the end of the movement, 7,000 people were killed by Japanese soldiers, 16,000 were wounded, and 46,000 had been arrested. Countless churches, houses, and school buildings were also damaged or destroyed by fire. However, even though it hadn’t brought about independence to Korea, it strengthened national unity and succeeded in being a message to the international community that the Korean people were, in fact, discontent with this foreign occupation of their country.