South Korea marks 100th March First Independence Movement Day - in pictures

Street parade marks 100 years Korea rose up against Japanese colonial rule

South Korean performers participate in a re-enactment of the March First Independence Movement against the Japanese during the 100th Independence Movement Day ceremony in Seoul, Getty Images

South Koreans dressed in Japanese military uniform participate in the re-enactment. Getty

South Koreans during the parade.

Schoolgirls wave the Korean flag.

The parade marches through Seoul.EPA

South Koreans cheer as they march. EPA

South Koreans hold up lit torches with the national flag. AFP

A schoolgirl looks at a giant national flag hanging on a government building. EPA

A view of the taegeuk symbol left in the sky by the tracks of South Korea's Air Force. EPA

South Koreans lit torches and took part in a massive parade in the streets of Seoul to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the March First Independence Movement against Japanese colonial rule.

On March 1, 1919, it was estimated two million Koreans marched in defiance against Japanese supression, which held the Korean peninsula from 1910 to the end of the Second World War in 1945.

Japan responded to the march with heightened supression and several thousand were killed in the demonstrations.

Though the movement failed to break Japan's grip, it did sow the seeds for the establishment of a Korean government in exile and the formation of the Korean army.

Asian scholars today say the event inspired non-violent forms of protest such as India's struggle to end British rule about 30 years later. March 1 was designated a public holiday in Korea since 1949.