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`The Centennial Anniversary of the Korean YMCA Movement The year 2003 marks a meaningful event when the Korean YMCA movement celebrates its centennial. The history of the YMCA in Korea dates back to Hwangseong Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA Seoul of today), established in 1903. Under Japanese colonial rule, the YMCA pursued the spirit of patriotism as the basis for galvanizing support for independence, enlightenment, rural communities and education. Following liberation from the Japanese occupation, the YMCA has continued to make significant contributions to the development of the Korean society through active involvement in the youth, civic and social sports movements. The centennial of the Korean YMCA movement is an occasion to highlight 100 years of the Christian society movement, youth movement, civic movement and social sports movement in Korea. At the significant milestone of its centennial, the YMCA reaffirms its committment to continue fostering enlightened citizens of the world as well as promoting movements that advance the interests of youths and the environment. It will carry on its mission to provide direction and principles for the Korean YMCA movement for the century to follow. This commemorative stamp is issued to celebrate the centennial of the Korean YMCA movement that solidified the foundation of the civic movement in the history of the nation as the first civil organization in Korea and to share the new vision of the YMCA.`