President Lee: December 3, 2024 Will Be Remembered Like March 15, 1960

President Lee Jae-myung attended the 66th anniversary ceremony of the March 15 Uprising at the National 3·15 Democratic Cemetery in Masan, South Gyeongsang Province, on Saturday, expressing his commitment to honoring the patriots and their families.

"The March 15 Uprising has served as a guiding example that set the nation right whenever democracy faced a crisis," Lee said.

This marked the first time a sitting president attended the ceremony since it was designated a national memorial day in 2010. Before the designation, former President Kim Dae-jung was the only incumbent president to attend.

In his commemorative address, Lee said the spirit of the March 15 Uprising, which became "a milestone for democracy," enabled the nation to "repel the darkness of insurrection on the night of December 3, 2024."

"We have shown the world an unprecedented 'resilience of democracy,'" he said. "The power to complete democracy comes not from laws and institutions themselves, but from the earnest aspirations, will, and actions of the sovereign people."

Full Text of President Lee Jae-myung's Commemorative Address

Respected citizens, residents of Changwon and South Gyeongsang Province, and patriots and bereaved families of the March 15 Uprising,

Sixty-six years ago today, the 'history of popular sovereignty' began here in Masan.

Citizens and students who rose up against the dictatorship shed their blood and gave their lives, ultimately awakening us to the truth that 'the people are the masters of the nation.'

Their righteous cry, rising resolutely, became an unquenchable flame toward a true democratic republic.

The dictatorship, consumed by the vain desire for permanent rule, committed all manner of fraud, illegality, and injustice, utterly destroying democracy and the rule of law. They mercilessly trampled upon citizens and students who resisted injustice, and did not hesitate to fire live ammunition at the people.

A middle school boy with dreams of becoming an economist.

A model student friend who was devoted to his studies, dreaming of wonderful campus life.

A nineteen-year-old factory worker who spent peaceful days with his beloved mother.

And a father, the sole provider who fiercely supported his family's livelihood every single day.

The victims of that day were ordinary, humble neighbors who lived among us. Precious people who should have lived another day just like yesterday—at home, at work, at school, on the streets—never saw 'March 16, 1960.'

Those who survived also had to endure unbearable suffering from injuries and torture. Yet even amid cruel oppression and suppression, their firm conviction to protect the nation's future with their own sovereign hands was never broken.

This was because of the passionate and bold courage of citizens and students who feared the unjust reality of their country more than the hail of bullets, who felt more pain from the trampled freedom and justice than from the metal piercing their bodies.

The March 15 Uprising that began here in Masan sparked the April 19 Revolution across the nation, ultimately toppling the seemingly powerful dictatorship. The spirit of March 15, which continued through the Busan-Masan Democratic Protests, the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the June Democratic Struggle, and on to the Candlelight Revolution and the Revolution of Light, has become our guiding example that raises the nation up in times of crisis.

I take this opportunity to express my deep respect and gratitude to the patriots of the March 15 Uprising who never retreated despite great hardship and threats.

And as President representing the Republic of Korea, I offer my sincere apology and words of comfort to the bereaved families of the March 15 Uprising victims who suffered great pain at the hands of state power. We will not forget your noble sacrifice.

Respected citizens,

The lesson the March 15 Uprising left in our history is clear: 'Democracy does not come by itself, nor is it preserved by itself.' At every critical moment when democracy and popular sovereignty were shaken and the constitutional order was violated, we ordinary people, we citizens, rose again with indomitable strength and overcame national crises with resolve and wisdom.

The power to complete democracy comes not from laws and institutions themselves, but from the earnest aspirations, will, and actions of the sovereign people. The footprints of countless martyrs deeply engraved in the turbulent modern history of the Republic of Korea are proof of this.

Though time flows on indifferently, the painful wounds and memories engraved in our hearts and minds, and the firm historical belief that 'no power can defeat the people,' came together on the night of December 3, 2024, enabling the great people of Korea to firmly repel the insurrection.

Just as the citizens and students of Masan bravely faced guns and swords with their bare bodies, the people of Korea in the winter night of December 2024 also blocked the martial law forces with their bare bodies. With solid solidarity and high sovereign consciousness, we have proudly shown the world an unprecedented 'resilience of democracy.'

Just as 'March 15, 1960' was, 'December 3, 2024' will also be recorded as the day when the wisdom of popular sovereignty defeated the ambitions of some for permanent rule, as the day that created a spring of hope beyond a winter of despair.

Respected and beloved citizens,

Our government of popular sovereignty will always remember that the indomitable strength shown by our people is the foundation of the freedom, democracy, and shared prosperity we enjoy today. Because of the quiet dedication and sacrifice of each sovereign individual, the Republic of Korea has achieved dazzling development that amazes the world, and has been able to proudly establish once again a shining example of democracy.

I will exert every effort to ensure that the spirit of the democratic patriots who devoted themselves to democracy in this land takes firm root throughout our society and is passed on to the next generation as an even more precious value.

To this end, we will find, award, record, and honor even one more of the patriots who participated in the March 15 Uprising and April 19 Revolution. The more we repay sacrifices for the nation and community with proper treatment, the stronger the democracy of the Republic of Korea will become, and the spirit of harmony, coexistence, and consideration will shine even brighter.

Together with the great people of Korea, we will boldly move forward toward the 'nation where the people are masters' and 'a Republic of Korea where we are happy together' that the democratic patriots and martyrs so longed for. I believe this is the proper way to repay the dedication of all the patriots of this land who never lost their dream of a new nation even in the face of harsh hardship. I will do my best.

Thank you.