Upset by the March First Popular Uprising that swept throughout Korea in 1919, the Japanese imperialists superficially changed their mode of colonial rule, from military rule to "cultural rule."

The "cultural rule" allegedly suggested "cultural reform of social system" and "establishment of foundation of civilized policy", but, in actuality, it was aimed to intensify suppression of the Korean people and plunder of natural resources in Korea in a more crafty and vicious way.

Frightened at the rapidly growing anti-Japanese sentiments among the Koreans in the 1920s, the Japanese imperialists introduced the notorious "secret-service police system" to sharply increase police forces. They also cooked up the law and regulations on "punishment of political offenders" and the "public order act" to kick up a sweeping repression of the people.

Such fascist repressive rule sparked off the pent-up indignation of all the Koreans.

The independence movement, started in Seoul, developed into a nationwide struggle in a short time, involving people of all social strata.

They courageously fought with the Japanese imperialist army and police, chanting, "Independence of Korea!" and "Japanese troops, go out!"

Though the June tenth independence movement ended in a failure, the Korean people demonstrated their desire for national independence and sovereignty and shook the Japanese imperialists' colonial ruling system, disclosing their aggressive nature.