Fellow Koreans, decorated patriots and veterans, families of fallen heroes, distinguished guests from home and abroad, and young students,

Marking the 56th Memorial Day today, we solemnly bow our heads before the souls of our patriotic forefathers who sacrificed their lives defending our homeland and the guardian spirits protecting the country. I have deep respect for our patriotic veterans and offer my profound condolences to the families of our fallen heroes.

First of all today, I want to tell you a story of a mother, who could be anyone’s mother, a story of brothers, who could be anyone’s brother.

We had a truly meaningful burial service just before this ceremony.

Approximately 60 years ago when the Korean War broke out, two brothers, defending the nation on different battlefields, gave their precious young lives in a barrage of bullets.

Sgt. Lee Cheon-wu, who was an 18 year-old student, volunteered to fight in fiercely-fought battlefields when the nation was at peril. He did so just a month after his brother, Staff Sgt. Lee Man-wu, joined the Army, leaving behind his widowed mother in grief.

The two brothers fought bravely to safeguard freedom and peace of the homeland. They were in the vanguard of campaigns to advance north while distinguishing themselves in countless combats, including the recapture of Seoul and the retaking of Pyongyang.

The younger brother followed in the footsteps of his elder brother even in heroic death. But the body of the younger brother was nowhere to be found and had to be left out in the cold and rain over the past 60 years.

Every soldier has a mother. The mother of the two brothers buried her sons in her heart and passed away in 1985.

The Government, however, has never forgotten the tears of the mother, who was so anxious because the body of her son could not be found. At last, the remains of Sgt. Lee Cheon-wu were recovered last year from a ridge of Mt. Baekseok in Gangwon Province. A few minutes ago, the younger brother was laid to rest alongside his brother. May he rest in peace.

Even death and time could not separate the fraternal love of the two brothers, who had to leave their cherished home and widowed mother behind. The mother and her two sons might be hugging each other and shedding tears of joy in heaven today.

Today, I will name the two “the brothers who protected our country.” The motherland will never forget.

The Government will also never forget the 130,000 fallen heroes who may still be buried somewhere in the mountains or fields in the South and North. It will do what it can to the best of its ability until the last remains are recovered.

Fellow citizens,

The proud Republic of Korea today is the story about myself and ourselves, not about any other people.

Just like the school song the cadets of Shinheung Military Academy used to sing 100 years ago, our patriotic forefathers pledged to fight at the forefront, defending the nation, racing across the vast plain in Gando to regain the homeland protected with blood over thousands of years and coloring the mountain ridges of the iron triangle red.

There are some members of our armed forces deployed overseas, who have faced glorious deaths, enhancing the reputation of their country on foreign soil far away from home.

There are also other brothers we can never forget even though they have different skin colors and speak different languages. They are the 40,000-some warriors of the UN forces, who sacrificed their lives in a remote foreign country they had not known under the single banner of protecting peace for all peoples.

When I was paying respects at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan last year, I heard a heartbreaking story.

There is a grave in the cemetery where a couple was recently buried together after about 60 years. It is a story about an Australian soldier who lost his life during the Korean War. He came to participate in the War just three weeks after his marriage. His wife lived alone for the rest of her life missing her husband. She passed away last year, leaving a will to the effect that she wanted to be buried together with her husband. Their timeless love brought tears to my eyes.

Whenever I go to Washington D.C., I visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial. There is a sculpture there with an inscription that reads “Freedom is not free,” meaning freedom is not obtained without sacrifices.

The present Republic of Korea has not been built without cost. Countless people gave their precious lives for the nation, and thus, those who loved them have had to endure a long period in the grip of bitter sadness.

Building on their sacrifices, we were able to found the Republic of Korea and carve out our future, pushing our way down a thorny path.

Patriots who dedicated yourselves to the nation and bereaved families,

It is one thing to love one’s nation with words. However, it is quite another to give one’s life for the nation, a sublime feat that not everyone can do.

Paying tribute to deceased patriots constitutes the very beginning of loving the nation and is the cornerstone in promoting national unity. For its part, the Government will first enhance the institution designed to deal with patriots and veterans affairs. In this way, it will do its utmost to reward their sacrifices and contributions befittingly, thereby holding them in a high regard.

When it comes to employment, education, medical services and housing, the Government will come up with measures tailored to the specific needs of veterans. In addition, the focus will also be placed on bolstering their welfare in their later years. 

Furthermore, the Republic of Korea will never ever forget those who came from other nations to fight side by side with us.

On the occasion of my trip to European countries last month, I met with doctors and nurses in Denmark who took part in the Korean War. Now in their 80s and 90s, they greeted me with their eyes brimming with tears at the port where they had boarded the medical vessel Jutlandia to head for Korea, whose name they had not known well.

Unexpectedly, they thanked us noting that Korea is the only country that sends people to express its appreciation for their devotion after many years have passed since the end of the war. 

Now Korea has to return the favors it has received so far in an appropriate manner. As part of such efforts, we will invite surviving Korean War veterans and bereaved families from around the world to Korea on a continued basis. In addition, the Korean Government will remain committed to unearthing the remains of UN soldiers. 

As a mature nation that plays a leading role in the international community, the Republic of Korea will redouble its efforts to promote global peace and shared prosperity.

My fellow Koreans,

Pride in our history is founded on our respect for the noble sacrifices of our patriotic forefathers.

The country’s history since the end of the 19th century has been punctuated with a series of rough challenges, and accordingly, there have been heated debates about what is the right way from a historical point of view. But then, every history has bright and dark sides, and the top stone of a historic pagoda would not be able to stay where it is without the stones below holding it up.

It is about time we felt justly proud of ourselves for the success our nation has achieved.

If the next generation fails to recognize history properly, the country will not be able to make a leap forward and become an even greater Republic of Korea. The values Korea has to preserve are obvious. They are none other than a responsible free democracy, a fair market economy and the principled rule of law.

Without an inch of concession, we should protect our homeland that has been preserved by blood. By leaving the country intact to our posterity, we will be doing what we should do for the sake of our forefathers.

Last year, North Korea perpetrated armed provocations against us. But the incidents served as an opportunity for us to solidify our security capabilities and to strengthen our determination to ensure our own security. More and more young people are volunteering to serve in the Armed Forces saying, “I want to defend my country.”

Many mourners still visit the tombs of warrant officer Han Joo-ho and the other sailors who were killed as a result of the North Korean attack on the South Korean Navy ship Cheonan.

The Korean Armed Forces has embarked on an excruciating self-transformation drive in order to be born again as a military fully trusted by the people.

At the beginning of the year, the Navy’s Cheonghae Unit waged an operation in the Somali waters. They demonstrated boldness to the world as they fulfilled their mission superbly.

A few days ago, I had a chance to meet the Cheonghae warriors who exalted the honor of the homeland on a faraway ocean. At a ceremony, I conferred medals and orders of merit on the sailors of the unit who returned home after performing their mission without any casualty.

The warriors of the Cheonghae Unit carried out their mission risking their lives. Captain Seok Hae-gyun of the merchant ship, Samho Jewelry, also maneuvered his vessel courageously risking his life with the spirit of the martyrs. They are genuine heroes and patriots of our time.

The Government will resolutely exercise its duty to protect and secure every single Korean citizen when his or her life is endangered.

Fellow citizens,

This land of freedom that our ancestors protected is where generation after generation of Koreans will live.

It is the duty of our generation to turn this land into a place of peace and prosperity. In this way, we will contribute to the happiness of our descendants and all of humanity. 

Whatever hardships it may face, the Government will strive without stopping to keep the nation thriving, the society compassionate and the country strong.

In addition, we will make more and more efforts to share freedom and prosperity with less fortunate nations.

At the same time, all citizens are asked to remain united in preparation for the reunification of the land that will come eventually.

North Korea should come forward on the path of peace and prosperity turning from its ways of confrontation and conflict. To this end, we will continue to exert our best efforts with patience and sincerity.

Whatever hurdle came their way in the past, the Korean people overcame them with courage and a better vision.

I have total trust in the potential of the Korean people.

Let us all join forces and continue to write a history of prosperity and glory for our nation.

Thank you very much.