Remarks by President Roh Moo-hyun on the 52nd Memorial Day
We are gathered here today on the 52nd Memorial Day to commemorate the sublime sacrifices of our fallen patriotic forefathers. We are here not only to pay homage to them, but also to emulate their patriotism and teach it to our children and descendants. We are also committing ourselves here once again to not repeating the unfortunate history in the future.
I pray for the repose of the souls of those patriots who died for the country and their compatriots. I extend my wholehearted consolation and gratitude to the bereaved families who lost their beloved family members for the country. At the same time, I pay sincere respect to the decorated patriots and veterans.
Fellow citizens,
The freedom, peace, democracy and prosperity we enjoy today are the result of blood and sweat shed by our patriotic forefathers who defended our country and those who struggled for democratization. It is the duty of the Government to have future generations hold our patriotic ancestors in high esteem and ensure their descendants live with honor and pride.
Albeit belatedly, the Government in 2004 embarked on investigations of the harm done to the Korean people who were forcibly mobilized during the Japanese occupation of Korea. It also submitted to the National Assembly a bill aimed at helping those who were not paid from the Japanese compensation funds stipulated in the Basic Treaty between Korea and Japan. The Administration is making every effort to shed light on the truth about anti-national acts perpetrated by pro-Japanese collaborators in order to firmly uphold historic justice and relieve the rancor of those who sacrificed themselves for the country.
About 130,000 soldiers killed in action during the Korean War still remain unaccounted for. The Government will continue its efforts to find and exhume the remains of the soldiers to ensure that they all will rest in peace in the National Cemeteries.
By doing so, we will be able to teach our children that sacrifice for and devotion to the nation and people should be considered as nothing out of ordinary and something to be proud of.
Fellow Koreans,
Our patriotic ancestors lying in peace here resolutely rose up when the country was faced with difficulties in the past. They dedicated themselves to achieving self-reliant independence under the Japanese colonial rule, safeguarding the nation and its people during the Korean War, and defending democracy and human rights under the military-backed authoritarian regimes.
Thanks to these righteous struggles, our history has progressed toward a greater degree of liberty, human rights and democracy. In every struggle, however, so many precious lives were sacrificed. There is no need to mention the travails of colonial occupation, the nation’s division and the Korean War. The dictatorship of President Rhee Syngman led to the sacrifices of the April 19 Revolution, while the May 16 Military Coup and military authoritarianism led to the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising, eventually paving the way for the tragedy of May 18th.
These tragedies will not be repeated. We have attained sufficient strength to defend ourselves. We have become such a globally recognized democratic nation where human rights are so well established that it is simply unimaginable to see another dictatorship creeping back to life.
Above all, we are vigorously marching toward a better future with a right strategy and vision.
Rooting out the collusive form of unfair privileges, foul play and corruption, we are creating a transparent and fair society. Korea is pushing for liberalization and innovation to get ahead in the globalized world and lead the era of knowledge-based economy. Having adopted peace as the first and foremost value, the nation is working to enhance its standing as a self-reliant nation. Korea has embraced broad-based economic growth, balanced development and welfare investment as its development strategy for the future, taking one step at a time toward becoming a competitive nation that benefits all its citizens.
As long as we stay on this path, a free and fair market will firmly take its root, and the rights of every citizen will grow even stronger. Upon this foundation blossoms the flower of our citizen’s creativity and diversity, helping to achieve even greater prosperity. Korea stands just a few steps shy of becoming an advanced country where its citizens will be able to lead healthy and stable lives without any anxiety over health care, life after retirement, housing and security.
So, let us make a little more effort. Let us overcome the politics of distrust, protest and confrontation and act upon the democracy of tolerance, concession, dialogue and compromise. Let us put our strength and wisdom together to achieve a democratic nation with sound welfare that provides fair opportunities for all and thrives under a higher level of trust and integration.
This is how we uphold the cause of our patriotic forefathers and add to the value of their sacrifice.
Once again, I would like to thank those who rendered patriotic service for our nation and extend my appreciation to their families. I pray for the repose of the patriots who went before us; may their souls rest in eternal peace.
Thank you.
웹사이트: http://www.president.go.kr
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2008년 8월 6일 17:22
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