President Lee: "Because of the Spirit of the April 19 Revolution, We Were Able to Defeat the Night of Insurrection"

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\r[The Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung attended the 66th anniversary ceremony of the April 19 Revolution on April 19 and said, "Because of the spirit of the April 19 Revolution, our people were finally able to defeat the night of insurrection in the winter of December 2024."
In his opening remarks at the ceremony held that day at the April 19th National Cemetery in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, Lee stressed the historical significance of the April 19 Revolution, saying, "Sixty-six years ago today, the thunderous cry of popular sovereignty brought down arrogant and reckless power." He added, "The bold courage of citizens who rose up with determination became a beacon of democracy at every turning point in South Korea's turbulent modern history."
He also criticized the Liberal Party regime, saying it was "consumed by the desire for perpetual rule, trampled democracy and the rule of law to the ground, and ultimately committed the horrific atrocity of pointing guns at the people." He added, "The people's resolve and aspirations were never broken, and through the February 28th Daegu Student Uprising, the March 8 Democratic Uprising, and the Masan Uprising of March 15, they led to a nationwide struggle on April 19 that brought down the dictatorship."
Lee emphasized that the April 19 Revolution laid the foundation for the development of democracy in South Korea. He said, "On the soil of the democratic ideals of April 19, which stood against injustice, South Korea was able to rise as one of the world's top 10 economic powers and a leading cultural powerhouse." He added, "The spirit of April 19, which continued through the Busan–Masan Uprising, the May 18 Democratization Movement, the June Democratic Struggle, and on to the Candlelight Revolution and the Revolution of Light, has blossomed into the power of a strong solidarity that longs for a nation of true sovereigns."
In particular, Lee linked the recent political situation with the spirit of April 19, saying, "Because the spirit of April 19, born as the root of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and severing the chains of a harsh dictatorship, existed, we were able to defeat the night of insurrection last December."
He also outlined the government's plan to strengthen respect for those who made sacrifices. Lee said, "The government will continue to find, honor, record, and recognize every person who sacrificed for democracy on this land, including those of the April 19 Revolution," adding, "We will also further strengthen urgent medical support for elderly meritorious figures of the April 19 Revolution."
Lee repeatedly underscored the value of democracy. He said, "Democracy is the most useful and rational system for discovering the potential and capabilities of each of the 52 million people and for making each person's life dignified." He added, "Only then can we prevent anti-democratic forces from ever again taking away our freedom and daily lives and trampling on the precious lives of the people."
He continued, "Our proud history of democracy did not come peacefully, like a pleasure cruise with a favorable wind at its back." He added, "It advanced step by step, battered and scarred, while overcoming waves of turmoil." He also stressed, "Dictatorship exploits the gaps created by inequality and poverty to justify the destruction of democracy."
Lee said, "I will move forward without wavering toward a nation where the people are the true masters, as so deeply wished for by democratic figures and the martyrs who came before us." He added, "I will devote all my strength so that we can pass on a democracy of freedom and equality, unity and solidarity, to a brighter future."
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west@fnnews.com Sung Seok-woo Reporter