The People and I Should Be United with One Mind

Fellow Koreans,

We all are gathered here today with a solemn heart on the 53rd Memorial Day.

With all due respect, I pray for the repose of the souls of our patriotic forefathers and guardian spirits of the nation. They sacrificed themselves to found this nation and defend liberal democracy. I also extend my deep respect and gratefulness to the nation’s patriots, who gave their lives for the country, and to their families.

Fellow citizens,

Over the past century since our national sovereignty was plundered, many historic milestones have unfolded one after another, including liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the founding of the nation, the war to safeguard free democracy, rapid industrialization and the long-awaited democratization. At every critical juncture in our history, we can find the dedicated sacrifices of our fallen patriotic forefathers as well as the nation’s patriots and veterans. Building on these contributions, we have finally achieved today’s Republic of Korea that we are all proud of.

It is the quintessential national responsibility to commemorate and uphold the great cause of the martyred ancestors and national patriots. The Korean Government will never forget their sacrifices and suffering. The Government is committed to taking better care of our national patriots and veterans as well as their families. It will also make sure that they will be raised up as role models for all Koreans to hold in esteem. There are about 130,000 soldiers, who were killed in the Korean War, whose bodies have yet to be recovered. The Government will more proactively proceed with its efforts to unearth those remains that may still be buried somewhere in this land. The Korean Government is determined that the nation should always under all circumstances fulfill its responsibility for those who died for this country.

Fellow Koreans,

This year marks the significant 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation. Beyond the industrialization and democratization process, we are now faced with a hefty challenge of having to make Korea a leading, advanced country.

It is obvious that we are now mired in very difficult circumstances. The oil price on the international market has doubled during the past year. Prices of grains and raw materials have also been skyrocketing. Consumer price hikes and economic contraction have plunged the Korean economy into distress. Not only Korea but also the whole world is currently suffering the same pain.

We cannot afford to put our forward march on hold just because conditions are hard to endure now. In this time of difficulty, we have to turn this crisis into an opportunity by strengthening the economic fundamentals and making exhaustive preparations for the future.

Whenever faced with crises, our forefathers took them as an opportunity for further progress rather than flinching from them. They successfully overcame countless hardships to help lay a foundation for the Korea of today.

Just as the nation tided over the oil crisis in the 1970s and financial crisis in the 1990s, I am convinced that we will be able to surmount the current difficulties much more quickly if the Government and the people harmoniously join forces with a single mind and intention.

My fellow citizens,

Korea is the sole remaining nation on the earth which was divided into two by Cold War rivalries. Unification is not only the long-cherished wish of 70 million Koreans but also an essential task which will determine the destiny of peace in Northeast Asia.

The South and North have so far continued dialogue, exchanges and cooperation. Although it is not very satisfactory, there has been some headway.

The North Korean nuclear issue has also recently shown a certain degree of progress. Sooner or later, the Six-Party Talks will reconvene to finalize the steps for the second stage of the North’s denuclearization.

I think it is a particularly positive move that the North is working together with the international community for its denuclearization. On top of this, it is necessary for the South and the North to engage in a serious dialogue to discuss on-going or future exchanges and cooperation projects.

We have yet to resolve issues of South Korean prisoners of war, separated families and abductees in the North. Those prisoners of war and the first generation of separated families are now in their 70s or 80s. Before it’s too late, the Government will do its utmost in good faith to make sure that separated family members will be able to freely come and go, and return to their hometowns that they have visited only in their dreams. I ask for the North’s proactive cooperation in this matter from a humanitarian perspective.

We have to march forward with sincerity and reciprocity towards an era of implementation going beyond the era of pronouncements. Now is the time for the two Koreas to exert endeavors to promote peace, coprosperity and unification on the Korean Peninsula by compromising with each other and cooperating in a sincere manner.

This is the way to uphold the spirit of Memorial Day and the cause of our patriotic ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and peace of the land.

Proud citizens of the Republic,

Throughout modern history, the Korean people have continuously faced adversities and frustrations. But we repeatedly met the challenge and won, writing a history of unwavering determination.

We rose up from the pain of colonial rule and the misery of war to successfully build up one of the dozen strongest economies in the world. At the same time, we have established a mature, firmly rooted democracy, creating a history of hope.

Now, we are poised for another success story of bringing about a truly advanced leading country. We cannot afford to lose time wavering. On this occasion, let us all join forces to tide over the crisis facing us. Let us pledge that we will take this opportunity to advance the date for completing an advanced, leading country.

In expressing love for the Republic, there can be no difference between you and me. We are one in this. We have to take a cue from our ancestors who so clearly demonstrated their patriotism, courage and passion. Let us all join hands to create a country that our descendants will be proud of.

As the economy is suffering inside and outside Korea, the pain of low-income families is all the more acute. The Government’s policy measures will put the highest priority on relieving their pain. The Government will humbly listen to what the people really want.

Along with all the Korean people, I desire to write a new history of an advanced Korea.

Once again, I pray for the repose of the martyrs and the protecting spirits of the Republic. Also, on behalf of the nation, I pay tribute to the veterans and extend sympathy to the bereaved families of fallen patriots.

Thank you very much.