#19: Reflecting on Korean History: 2.28 and 3.1 Movements

Welcome back to TOPIK & Beyond! In today’s full Korean episode, we reflect on two important events in Korean history: the 2.28 Student Democratic Movement and the March 1st Independence Movement. These events shaped Korea’s fight for democracy and independence and teach us valuable lessons about strategy, unity, and persistence—qualities that are crucial not just in history but also when preparing for the TOPIK II exam!

But first, I’m excited to announce my free webinar on March 3rd! If you’re preparing for TOPIK II, this webinar will help you study smarter with:
✅ A 3-step study plan for listening, reading, and writing
✅ Tips on avoiding common pitfalls
Time management strategies to stay calm and finish strong

📅 Sign up by clicking here

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  1. Korean History Overview (in Korean):
    • 2.28 Student Democratic Movement (1960): High school students in Daegu protested against unfair politics and demanded democracy, sparking nationwide change.
    • March 1st Movement (1919): Koreans organized a nonviolent demonstration to demand independence from Japanese rule.
  2. Related Vocabulary:
    Words from today’s history lesson that will also help with TOPIK II reading and writing:
    • 민주 (democracy), 부당 (unfair), 정치 (politics), 정의 (justice), 혁명 (revolution), 독립 (independence), 비폭력 (nonviolence), 전략 (strategy), 끈기 (persistence), and more.
    • Example sentences from the history segment with clear explanations.
  3. TOPIK Focus:
    • Learn how to write a strong TOPIK II essay on historical or social events by following this structure:
      1. Introduction – Provide background information.
      2. Main Content – Explain the event in detail with key outcomes.
      3. Conclusion – Summarize its significance and reflect on its lessons.
    • Tips on using transition words and organizing your thoughts for higher scores!

 📅 Join the free webinar on March 3rd and learn TOPIK II strategies: Click here to register

📸 Practice today's grammar and vocabulary! Share your sentences on Instagram and tag @korean.joaacademy with #topikandbeyond.

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Thanks for listening, and see you in the next episode! 😊