Lee: "Designate Hyochang Park as National Hyochang Independence Park" — First March First Independence Movement Day Address Stresses Honor for Independence Activists

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung announced in his address for the 107th anniversary of March First Independence Movement Day on the 1st that the area around Hyochang Park will be designated as "National Hyochang Independence Park." Reaffirming his commitment to better treatment for independence patriots, President Lee stated, "We will make special efforts to identify and honor independence activists who have not yet been decorated, and to provide much stronger support to the bereaved families of independence patriots."
President Lee went on to say, "We will designate the area around Hyochang Park as 'National Hyochang Independence Park' and prepare broad-based plans to utilize the Provisional Government Building in Shanghai so that the spirit of independence of our forebears is remembered for generations." He added, "This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Kim Ku. We will carry on his noble aspirations through commemorative projects in which the entire nation can participate."
Emphasizing the state's responsibility for the independence movement, President Lee said, "Honoring and treating our forebears with respect is a special reward for their extraordinary sacrifice and the minimum measure required to sustain our community." He continued, "We will build a truly fair nation where the cynical saying that 'three generations are ruined if a family joins the independence movement' disappears, where those who devoted themselves to the nation are respected, and where acts of betraying the community are judged sternly."
He also delivered closely watched messages on foreign affairs.
Regarding inter-Korean relations, President Lee declared, "Our government will respect the North's system, and we will not engage in any hostile acts or pursue any form of absorption-based unification." He pledged to continue efforts to resume dialogue, saying, "We will consistently push forward with the steps needed to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and restore trust between South and North." Referring in particular to last year's drone intrusion incident, he said, "The drone intrusion incident that occurred unexpectedly last year is a grave matter that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula," and vowed, "We will thoroughly uncover the full truth and establish institutional safeguards so that such an incident never happens again."
On Japan–South Korea relations, he stated, "Our government, based on popular sovereignty, will do its utmost through practical diplomacy to face the past squarely, address current challenges together, and move toward the future." He continued, "We will continue shuttle diplomacy with Japan," and added, "We hope the Japanese government will keep responding in kind." On cooperation in Northeast Asia, he cited An Jung-geun's "Treatise on Peace in East Asia" and added, "We will not cease our efforts for harmony and prosperity."
In his address, President Lee described the March First Movement as both "a declaration of independence and a declaration of peace" and called it "a compass that pointed to a future of peace and coexistence." He concluded, "With the spirit of the March First Revolution, we will together open the path of peace and democracy, mutual growth, and shared prosperity."

west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter