Thousands of South Koreans gathered downtown Seoul on Friday to mark the centennial of Korea's Independence Movement against colonial Japan.
Bruce Harrison reports from the capital.
IN: " A familiar rallying … "
OUT: SOC
DUR: 1:09
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/freedomfighters-bh-generic.mp3
A familiar rallying cry.
NAT SOUND [Koreans shouting 'manse'!]
On these same streets 100 years ago, Koreans also shouted manse, or long live, as they declared their independence from Japan.
Millions would march and thousands would die as Japan launched a brutal, nationwide-crackdown on the independence movement that began on March first, 1919.
President Moon Jae-in honored the freedom fighters at a speech downtown.
But he also focused on the next one-hundred years.
He said South Korea will take a leading role to secure peace.
Moon said he hopes to resume projects with North Korea, including tourism and a joint light-industry complex just north of the border.
His remarks come just a day after President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong-un failed to reach a deal at their summit in Hanoi.
Ever optimistic, Moon said when there is progress on denuclearization, Seoul will form a committee to create economic achievements that help both Koreas.
SOC