[우리문화신문=양인선 기자] 경기도 화성시가 지난해 인구 100만을 넘어서서 화성특례시로 승격되었다. 그리고 올해 만세구, 효행구, 병점구, 동탄구 4개 구청 체제로 전환되었다. 그 가운데 특별한 이름 ‘만세구(만세구청장 홍노미)’는 화성시 서ㆍ남부 지역 대부분에 걸쳐있다. 기초지방자치단체 이름이 '만세구'로 정해진 까닭을 알아보자.
1919년 3.1만세운동 당시 3~4월에 걸쳐 크게 3개 권역 곧 송산 사강, 발안시장, 우정 장안에서 공세적으로 크게 만세시위가 일어났다. 그 보복으로 일제에 의한 제암 고주리 학살만행이 자행되었다. 일제의 잔혹한 진압으로 집이 불타고 일가친척을 잃었으며 부상으로 씻을 수 없는 마음의 상처를 안고 산 주민이 아직도 많다.
지난해 구청 이름을 정하는 여론조사가 있었다. 서신면에 있는 삼국시대의 성이자 남양군의 옛 이름인 당성(당항성)에서 따온 '당성구(唐城區)'도 추천되었다. 하지만 구민들의 여론은 '만세구'로 하자는 것이 압도적이었기에 이곳 기초자치단체의 이름은 ‘만세구’로 결정되었다.
2025년 8월 22일에 설치가 승인되었고, 2026년 2월 1일에 설치되었으며, 임시청사는 화성종합경기타운을 사용한다. 2025년 12월 말 주민등록을 기준으로 만세구의 인구는 23만 5,486명이다.
지난 2월 2일 화성종합경기타운 실내체육관에서 열린 만세구청 개청식에서 정명근 화성시장은 "만세라는 이름에는 107년 전 이 땅에서 울려 퍼진 대한독립만세의 함성과 선열들의 불굴의 정신이 살아 숨 쉬고 있다. 그분들이 꿈꾸었던 나라와 지키고자 했던 터전 위에서 만세구라는 이름으로 새로운 시작을 한다. 만세구는 단순한 행정구 이름이 아니라 자유와 독립을 향한 염원이자 미래를 향한 다짐이다."라고 강조했다.
'만세구'로 확정되어 개청식을 열고 곳곳에 표지판이 바뀌면서 구민들에겐 '만세'라는 의미의 무게감이 깊게 마음에 와닿았다. 연중 곳곳에 태극기가 펄럭이고, 만세시위를 뜻하는 조형물이 곳곳에 세워졌다. 화성독립기념관(관장 한동민)도 제암리에 있다. '3.1만세로'란 거리도 있고, '발안만세시장'이란 이름도 있다.
전국적으로 '만세구'란 행정 이름은 여기가 처음이다.
만세구 주민으로서 자긍심과 더불어 3.1혁명의 정신을 영원히 간직하며 살기를 다짐해 본다.
영어권 독자와 일본어 해독자를 위해 인공지능 '제미나이'의 도움으로 아래에 번역했습니다.
"This article was translated with the assistance of AI on Google Search for English-speaking and Japanese-reading audiences."
「英語圏の読者および日本語を解読される方々のために、人工知能『Google検索のAI（ジェミニ）』の協力を得て、以下に翻訳文を掲載いたします。」
<Historical Background & Context>
1. The Meaning of "Manse" (만세)
The word “Manse” literally translates to “Ten Thousand Years,” traditionally used to wish a nation eternal prosperity. In modern Korean history, it became the ultimate rallying cry for freedom—equivalent to shouting “Long Live Korean Independence!” It symbolizes peaceful yet passionate resistance against military oppression.
2. The March 1st Movement of 1919
Korea was forcibly occupied by the Empire of Japan in 1910. On March 1, 1919, Korean leaders declared independence, triggering nationwide peaceful protests. This was one of the earliest mass displays of non-violent resistance in modern world history, inspiring later civil rights movements across Asia, including India’s anti-colonial movement.
3. The Jeam-ri and Goju-ri Massacres in Hwaseong
Hwaseong was a major epicenter of this uprising. In brutal retaliation, Japanese military forces locked local residents inside the Jeam-ri Church on April 15, 1919, set the building on fire, and shot anyone attempting to escape. They then moved to nearby Goju-ri to massacre more civilians. This war crime was exposed globally by foreign missionaries and journalists, revealing the harsh realities of Japanese colonial rule to the world.
<Main Article>
Hwaseong Special City’s "Manse-gu": Living History and a Century-Old Spirit
Last year, Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, surpassed a population of one million and was officially elevated to the status of Hwaseong Special City. Following this milestone, the city transitioned this year into a four-district administrative system consisting of Manse-gu, Hyohaeng-gu, Byeongjeom-gu, and Dongtan-gu. Among these, the uniquely named 'Manse-gu' (headed by District Governor Hong No-mi) covers most of the western and southern regions of Hwaseong. Let us explore the reason behind choosing 'Manse-gu' as the name for this local administrative district.
During the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919, intense and aggressive independence demonstrations erupted across three major areas—Songsan Sagang, Balan Market, and Ujeong Jangan—throughout March and April. In retaliation, the Japanese military committed the brutal Jeam-ri and Goju-ri massacres. Due to this ruthless suppression, homes were burned down, entire families were lost, and many residents still live with the indelible emotional scars of injuries and trauma.
Last year, a public opinion poll was conducted to determine the name of the new district. 'Dangseong-gu (唐城區)' was highly recommended, a name derived from Dangseong (Danghangseong), a Three Kingdoms-period fortress located in Seoshin-myeon and the ancient historical name for Namyang-gun. However, local residents overwhelmingly voted for 'Manse-gu,' leading to the official selection of this historic name.
The establishment of the district was approved on August 22, 2025, and it officially came into effect on February 1, 2026. The temporary district office is currently housed within the Hwaseong Sports Complex. As of the end of December 2025, the registered resident population of Manse-gu stands at 235,486.
During the opening ceremony of the Manse-gu Office held at the Hwaseong Sports Complex Indoor Gymnasium on February 2, Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun emphasized: "The name 'Manse' embodies the echoes of the shouts for Korean independence that rang across this land 107 years ago, as well as the unyielding spirit of our ancestors. We are making a fresh start under the name of Manse-gu upon the very land and nation they dreamed of and fought to protect. Manse-gu is not just a simple administrative name; it represents our yearning for freedom and independence, and our commitment to the future."
With the finalization of the name 'Manse-gu' and the completion of its opening ceremony, road signs throughout the area have been replaced, bringing the profound weight and meaning of the word 'Manse' deep into the hearts of local residents. National flags now flutter across the district year-round, and sculptures commemorating the independence rallies have been erected in various locations. The Hwaseong Independence Memorial Museum (directed by Han Dong-min) is also located in Jeam-ri. Furthermore, the region features a street named '3.1 Manse-ro' and a local market named 'Balan Manse Market.'
This marks the first time in the entire nation that 'Manse-gu' has been adopted as an official administrative district name. As residents of Manse-gu, we pledge to live with great pride while eternally preserving the profound spirit of the March 1st Revolution.
Reporter Yang In-seon Introduction
- Reporter Yang In-seon writes for Woori Culture News, dedicated to illuminating South Korea's vibrant heritage.
- With a warm and insightful perspective, she captures the historical significance of monuments and patriotic legacies.
- Her articles beautifully bridge past traditions with modern life, making local culture accessible to global readers.
- Through descriptive travelogues and community stories, she continuously fosters a deep appreciation for Korean identity.
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<日本語訳>
1.<歴史的背景 (Historical Background)>
1. 「万歳（マンセ）」という言葉の意味
「万歳」は文字通り「一万年」を意味し、伝統的に国家や君主の永遠の繁栄を祈る言葉でした。しかし近代韓国史において、この言葉は「大韓独立万歳」という自由を求める最大の叫びへと変わりました。軍事的な弾圧に立ち向かった、韓国の非暴力かつ情熱的な抵抗の象徴です。
2. 1919年の三・一独立運動
韓国は1910年に帝国日本によって併合されました。1919年3月1日、韓国の指導者たちが独立を宣言したことをきっかけに、全国的な平和デモが巻き起こりました。これは現代の世界史において、最も初期の大規模な非暴力抵抗運動の一つであり、のちにインドのマハトマ・ガンディー率いる非暴力・不服従運動など、アジア全域の市民権運動や反植民地運動に大きな影響を与えました。
3. 華城（ファソン）における堤岩里・古州里虐殺事件
華城市は、この独立運動が最も激しく展開された地域の一つでした。激化する民衆のデモに対する報復として、1919年4月15日、日本軍は堤岩里（ジェアムリ）のキリスト教徒や天道教徒の住民を教会の中に閉じ込めて放火し、逃げ出そうとする人々を射殺しました。さらに近隣の古州里（ゴジュリ）へ移動し、多くの民間人を虐殺しました。この戦時不法行為は、外国人宣教師やジャーナリストによって世界に報じられ、当時の過酷な植民地支配の実態が国際社会に知れ渡る契機となりました。
2. Main Article (日本語訳)
華城市、「万歳区（マンセグ）」が正式に開庁：今も息づく100年前の独立精神
昨年、京畿道華城市は人口100万人を突破し、「華城特例市」へと昇格しました。この画期的な節目を迎え、華城市は今年、「万歳区（マンセグ）」、「孝行区（ヒョヘング）」、「餅店区（ビョンジョムグ）」、「東灘区（ドンタング）」の4つの行政区体制へと移行しました。その中でも、特にユニークな名前を持つ「万歳区（万歳区庁長：洪魯美）」は、華城市の西部および南部地域の大部分を占めています。この基礎地方自治体の名前が、なぜ「万歳区」に決まったのか、その背景を探ってみましょう。
1919年の三・一独立運動の際、3月から4月にかけて、松山（ソンサン）沙江（サガン）、発安（パラン）市場、雨汀（ウジョン）長安（ジャンアン）という3つの主要地域を中心に、極めて激しく大規模な万歳デモが巻き起こりました。その報復として、日本軍による「堤岩里（ジェアムリ）・古州里（ゴジュリ）虐殺事件」という残虐な蛮行が引き起こされました。この過酷な鎮圧により、家を焼き払われ、一族の命を奪われ、今なお心身に深い傷を負ったまま暮らしている住民が数多く存在します。
昨年、新しい区の名前を決めるための世論調査が行われました。その際、西新面（ソシンミョン）にある三国時代の城であり、南陽郡（ナミャングン）の古称でもある「唐城区（タンソング）」も有力候補として推薦されました。しかし、住民の間では「万歳区」を支持する意見が圧倒的であり、この地域の自治体名は「万歳区」へと正式に決定されました。
万歳区の設置は2025年8月22日に承認され、2026年2月1日に正式に発足しました。現在は華城総合運動場（華城総合競技タウン）を仮庁舎として使用しています。2025年12月末の住民登録基準で、万歳区の人口は23万5,486人となっています。
去る2月2日、華城総合運動場の屋内体育館で開催された万歳区庁の開庁式において、鄭明根（チョン・ミョングン）華城市長は次のように強調しました。「『万歳』という名前には、107年前にこの地で沸き起こった大韓独立万歳の叫びと、先烈たちの不屈の精神が今も息づいています。先人たちが夢見た国、そして守ろうとした故郷の上で、私たちは万歳区という名と共に新たな一歩を踏み出します。万歳区は単なる行政区の名前ではなく、自由と独立への念願であり、未来への固い誓いなのです。」
「万歳区」の名称が確定し、開庁式が執り行われ、地域一帯の道路標識が掛け替えられたことで、住民の心には「万歳」という言葉の重みが深く刻まれることとなりました。現在、区内には年間を通じて太極旗（韓国の国旗）がはためき、当時の万歳デモを象徴するモニュメントが随所に設置されています。また、堤岩里には華城独立運動記念館（館長：韓東敏）が位置しています。さらに、地域内には「3.1万歳路（サムイルマンセロ）」という名の通りや、「発安万歳市場」という名の市場も存在します。
行政区の名前に「万歳」という言葉が採用されたのは、全国でもここが初めてです。万歳区の住民として大きな誇りを持ち、三・一革命の精神を永遠に胸に刻みながら生きていくことを、私たちは改めて心に誓っています。
梁仁善（ヤン・インソン）記者紹介
- 「ウリ文化新聞」の梁仁善（ヤン・インソン）記者は、韓国の輝かしい文化遺産を伝えるジャーナリストです。
- 温かく深い洞察力に満ちた視点で、歴史的な記念碑や先烈たちの愛国精神の足跡を丹念に取材しています。
- 過去の伝統と現代の日常を美しく結びつけ、地域の多様な文化を読者にわかりやすく届けています。
- 現場の息遣いが聞こえる生きた記事を通じて、韓国のアイデンティティと文化の価値を広め続けています。
