Fellow Koreans, decorated veterans, patriots and their families as well as all those who lost loved ones, distinguished guests from home and abroad,

We are gathered here today with a solemn heart to mark the 57th Memorial Day.

We bow our heads low in reverence to the souls of our patriotic forefathers and fallen heroes who offered their lives for the country. We honor their noble spirit and great cause.

I also extend my deepest respect to the nation''s patriots and condolences to bereaved families.

Young people from many countries around the world, who loved peace and freedom, shed their blood throughout this land from the Nakdong River to the Amnok River.

I pay profound tribute to all the warriors of the United Nations forces, who fought in the Korean War and gave their young lives in a foreign land far away from their homes.

Fellow Koreans,

Recently, a truly poignant but sublime and significant event was held at the Seoul Air Base.

The remains of 12 South Korean soldiers, who had been buried under the cold ground in the North, made a long detour and returned to the homeland after about 60 years.

This was the first time that the remains of our soldiers, who were killed during the Korean War in the North, were repatriated to the country.

For this reason, following highest military protocol, top commanders of the Armed Forces and I received the remains with the utmost honor of a 21-gun salute. We solemnly sent them off on their journey to eternal rest with a respectful salute.

Private First Class Kim Yong-soo and Lee Gap-soo as well as 10 other unknown soldiers faced heroic deaths during the Battle of Jangjin Reservoir on the Gaema Plateau where there was fierce fighting during the Korean War.

Private First Class Kim Yong-soo volunteered to fight as a student soldier at the age of 18. He left home for the battlefield saying to his elder brother, “I will protect the country and you protect home.”

His father, the late Kim In-joo, was also a patriotic martyr who fought for the nation’s independence during the Japanese colonial period. The son, following in his father’s footsteps, gave his life for the country. 

Private First Class Lee Gap-soo joined the army to fight on the battlefield at the late age of 34, leaving behind his beloved wife and two children, who were 7 years old and 4 years old at that time.

They anxiously waited for their father for such a long time. Now in their 60s with gray hair, they could finally greet their father sobbing in sorrow.

Still buried somewhere in the North, the souls of the countless fallen heroes may long for their homes.

One of the first things to do after the reunification of the South and North is to find the remains of these soldiers.

The Government will continue to do what it can to the best of its ability to have them rest in peace.

Distinguished and decorated veterans and patriots,

In only six decades since the founding of the nation, we have carved out the Republic of Korea of today that has emerged as one of the 10 largest economies in the world and as a trading powerhouse with US$1 trillion in trade.

The country is now moving forward to become an advanced, leading nation rising above simply being an economic power.

For the first time in history, we have successfully hosted the G20 Summit and the Nuclear Security Summit, the two premier global forums in  economy and security. By doing so, we have now joined those countries that take the initiative in shaping the international order.

Our men and women in uniform are devoting themselves to the promotion of world peace and reconstruction efforts in regions torn apart by strife or natural disasters across the globe while garnering greater respect from the locals than any troops of other nations.

Now, the Korean Wave, Hallyu, is being enjoyed by many people around the world. Young Koreans are distinguishing themselves in the international arena.

Up until now, all Koreans have worked very hard day and night against all odds to build today’s Republic of Korea.

War veterans of the UN troops who have revisited Korea have been amazed by the progress Korea has made. They are very proud of their contributions thinking that their sacrifices were not fruitless.

I once again bow my head in reverence to the noble sacrifices of all our fallen patriotic forefathers and the souls of soldiers who died while safeguarding our nation. Their sacrifices laid a firm foundation for the opening of a glorious chapter in Korea’s history.

Upholding the will of all fallen heroes who devoted themselves to defending liberal democracy, the people of the Republic of Korea will never tolerate any acts negating liberal democracy. 

In addition, with an impregnable security posture, we will safeguard peace on the Korean Peninsula and punish any provocation in a strict manner.

My fellow Koreans,

Recently, I became the first President of Korea in 30 years to visit Myanmar.

In 1983, a total of 17 government officials lost their precious lives due to a North Korean terrorist bomb.

After laying a wreath at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum where the tragic incident took place, I paid respects deep from my heart to the souls of fallen officials while feeling deep sorrow and anger.

Myanmar boasts a huge land three times the size of the Korean Peninsula with rich natural resource. Nonetheless, its national per capita income stands at a meager US$700, similar to that of North Korea.

It was mainly because its closed socialist economic system, the long-standing rule of the military authorities and international sanctions over the past 20 years have left this country disconnected from the world.

As the nation makes efforts to uphold democracy and human rights as well as to pursue an open-door policy, however, international sanctions have begun to be lifted.

In line with these developments, many countries around the world are competitively moving to normalize diplomatic ties and make investments.

The Republic of Korea supports Myanmar’s reform and open-door policy and agreed to bolster cooperative ties in the years to come.

At a meeting with democratization leader Aung San Suu Kyi, I emphasized that “democracy and human rights should not be sacrificed because of economic development.” We saw eye to eye in that regard.

At the summit meeting with President Thein Sein, I said, “Just as Myanmar has opened a new age, I hope Myanmar will be able to persuade the North to learn from its experiences and follow suit.”

Recently, a wind of liberalization, reform and opening has been sweeping the whole world.

The wind, which now blows toward Asia through North Africa after originating in Eastern Europe, constitutes a historic trend against which no one can stand.

My fellow citizens,

In the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, yet another fiscal crisis from Europe is descending on the international community. Global economic crises repeat themselves.

With the current fiscal crisis moving on to crisis in financial sector and real economy, it might take time to recover. Without lowering the guard the Government is responding to this external uncertainty under emergency monitoring system.

Amid this adverse situation, we have further broadened our nation’s economic territory through FTAs, and our trade reached the US$1trillion mark last year. By doing so, we have turn the crisis into a steppingstone for a new takeoff. 

While the sovereign credit ratings of other advanced industrial nations are being lowered, only the ratings of Korea have been raised on two occasions.

The reasons for successfully overcoming the crisis must be that the Government, businesses, labor and management all worked together, backed up by the unity of all Koreans.

Looking back on our history, the Korean people have encountered numerous hardships, but endured and survived them.

During the Korean War, the country was devastated, but we are thriving today 60 years later. Among the countries that have more than 50 million people, Korea became the seventh to achieve a per capita GDP of US$20,000.

This feat is the first to be accomplished by a country that gained independence after the World War II.

The future of the global economy is uncertain as the fiscal crisis is deepening in Europe. But I see hopes and a bright future for the country because of the young generation in particular.

When Yeonpyeong Island was shelled by North Korea, a young marine responded to the attack bravely without even knowing that the camouflage on his helmet had caught fire.

After the North Korean attacks on the navy ship Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island, a number of foreign nationals of Korean ancestry joined our Armed Forces voluntarily out of love for the homeland.

There are people who are attempting to destroy the constitutional order of the Republic. But there are many young Korean people who profess an intention to fight on the frontlines for the country once war breaks out.

Young Koreans are challenging the best in the world arena in sports, arts, sciences and all other fields.

Especially, K-pop and other Korean-Wave phenomena are expanding in every direction globally.

That is not all. Many Korean young people are engaged in volunteer services in remote areas of Africa despite difficult conditions. Others ventured into eastern Japan when the residents there suffered major earthquakes. Young people helped the victims in distress with big mature hearts, leaving aside any emotions.

Such warm hearts, intense passion and efforts are testimony to their love for the country.

Observing such young men and women, I am convinced of the promising future of our nation.

We will all have to endeavor like this to safeguard the Republic and open a new day as an advanced leading country. This is the fervent aspirations of all the Korean people, and, at the same time, constitutes the task of our time.

My fellow Koreans,

It is easy for people to say that they love their country. But it is not for everybody to give his or her life to the country. Sacrifice is something truly sublime.

The Government will do all it can to memorialize the patriotic acts of our ancestors and to promote their cause.

It will strive to advance the compensation system for the fallen heroes. In this way, the nation will pay deeper respect to and compensate better for the sacrifices and achievements of the patriots and veterans.

At the same time, the nation should not forget the assistance it received from foreign countries. We will have to help other peoples in need around the world. The nation will have to act as a vanguard contributing to the protection of world peace, befitting an international leader.

A truly advanced nation and a Greater Korea should become the vision of all Koreans. I am certain that our fallen heroes and the spirits safeguarding our homeland have the same vision.

Once more, as we reflect on the patriotism of the martyrs and guardian spirits, let us all march forward together toward even greater progress.

Thank you very much.