President Lee Jae-myung marked the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement on Saturday, emphasizing that "our government respects the North's system and will not pursue any hostile acts or any form of unification by absorption."
"We will reduce inter-Korean military tensions through action, not words," Lee said.
On Japan relations, Lee pledged to "continue shuttle diplomacy to make the benefits of improved relations more tangible and open new opportunities." The remarks reaffirm his administration's consistent approach to easing military tensions with North Korea while pursuing pragmatic diplomacy with Japan.
Full text of the commemorative address:
Dear citizens of the Republic of Korea, 7 million overseas Koreans, independence patriots and their families:
107 years ago today, the powerful cry of "Long Live Korean Independence" echoed throughout the world.
On that day, everyone was united. There were no differences in class or status, age or gender. Yeongnam and Honam were one. There was no left or right. From Pyongyang to Seoul, Busan to Sinuiju—from Halla to Baekdu—the entire nation was filled with cries of independence.
March 1st Revolution: "Yeongnam and Honam were one; there was no left or right"
Our forebears resisted Japanese oppression through direct action at home and armed struggle and diplomatic efforts abroad, carrying that spirit forward to establish the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Because they united for a greater cause beyond small differences, the March 1st Revolution ultimately bore fruit in the joy of liberation.
On this 107th anniversary, I offer infinite respect and unreserved praise to the patriotic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our nation's independence. I also extend deep gratitude to the four surviving independence patriots and their families. Without those who gave everything for our homeland's independence and for the hope of future generations, the free and prosperous Republic of Korea we enjoy today would never have existed.
Honoring Independence Patriots: "The saying 'three generations suffer if you fight for independence' will disappear"
Honoring and commemorating their dedication is both special recognition for special sacrifice and the minimum measure for maintaining our community. As I announced on Liberation Day, we will expand efforts to discover and honor unrecognized independence patriots and provide stronger support for their descendants.
We will designate the Hyochang Park area as "National Hyochang Independence Park" and develop broader utilization plans for the Shanghai Provisional Government building to honor their spirit for generations. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Kim Gu's birth, and we will continue his noble legacy through commemorative projects involving all citizens.
I will build a fair nation where common sense prevails—where the self-deprecating saying "three generations suffer if you fight for independence" disappears, where those who served their country are respected, and where betrayal of the community faces stern judgment.
Dear citizens:
A century ago when the March 1st Revolution occurred, the world was an era of upheaval where the strong exploited the weak. Many nations, including ours, suffered the pain of losing sovereignty and colonial rule.
Only after experiencing the devastation of world wars did the international community create new norms to mediate disputes between nations and manage peace. However, a century later, the world again faces a period of upheaval. International norms established over 80 years since World War II are seriously threatened by the logic of power. To avoid repeating the same mistakes, we must find lessons in our history.
The March 1st Revolution spirit of our forebears offers profound teachings to people worldwide today. The March 1st Revolution was both a declaration of independence and a declaration of peace—a compass pointing toward a future of peace and coexistence.
Through the March 1st Declaration of Independence, our forebears lamented "losing the opportunity to contribute to world culture with new technology and originality." They also proclaimed that upon achieving independence, they would "shine the dawning light of a new civilization on human history with the humanitarian spirit cultivated over thousands of years."
They dreamed of a democratic republic where the people are the true masters—not a world where power is used to exploit other nations, but a peaceful great harmony where people empathize, stand in solidarity, and live together. This is why we must all deeply reflect on the spirit of the March 1st Revolution in this era of crisis when democracy and peace are again threatened.
"An era of crisis when democracy and peace are again threatened"
In 1919, we were powerless colonial subjects, but in 2026, the Korean people possess the power to move hearts worldwide and infinite potential to change the world. The Republic of Korea is the only country among those liberated from colonial rule to achieve both industrialization and democratization.
The great Korean people achieved industrialization after liberation through the "Miracle on the Han River." Under authoritarian oppression, they realized democracy through the April 19 Revolution, the May 18 Democratization Movement, and the June 10 Democratic Uprising. They astonished the world by illuminating popular sovereignty through the Candlelight Revolution and the Revolution of Light.
The Republic of Korea now has a top-10 global economy sufficient to "enrich our lives" and the world's fifth-strongest military capable of "defending against invasion." With cultural influence ranking seventh globally, we are expanding understanding and empathy, spreading peace, and making our forebears' dreams reality.
What made this possible was the spirit of the March 1st Revolution flowing continuously through our people's blood. The spirit our forebears proclaimed and our people have carried forward will surely be the bright light guiding people worldwide through this era of crisis to a new world of hope.
A Korean Peninsula of Peace and Mutual Prosperity: "We will consistently pursue what is needed to restore trust"
Dear citizens:
Let us realize the dreams of peace and coexistence that our forebears earnestly wished for—starting here and now on the Korean Peninsula. Creating a peaceful Korean Peninsula that grows together on a foundation of coexistence and cooperation rather than hostility, trust rather than distrust, is the path to fully inheriting the spirit of the March 1st Revolution.
Let us never ignore history's firm lesson that hostility and confrontation benefit neither side. Let us end this era of conflict and confrontation that has continued for over half a century and move toward a Korean Peninsula of peace and mutual prosperity.
As I have stated multiple times, our government respects the North's system and will not pursue any hostile acts or any form of unification by absorption. Just as we have proactively taken various measures to reduce inter-Korean military tensions and restore mutual trust through action rather than words, we will consistently and continuously pursue what is needed for peace on the Korean Peninsula and restoration of inter-Korean trust.
The drone incursion incident last year, which occurred completely unrelated to this government's intentions, was a grave criminal act threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula that should never have happened. Any act that provokes tension and conflict on this Korean Peninsula where both Koreas live together cannot be justified by any excuse. We will thoroughly investigate the truth, hold those responsible accountable, and establish institutional safeguards to ensure this never happens again.
We will continue efforts to resume dialogue with the North. As a "pacemaker," we will communicate with the United States and neighboring countries to facilitate the early resumption of U.S.-North Korea dialogue. We will make every effort to transform the armistice system into a peace regime through practical inter-Korean tension reduction and cooperation with relevant countries.
As the North establishes and implements its new five-year plan, I hope it will promptly come to the dialogue table, leave the dark past behind, and work together to chart a new future. I hope the independence cries of our forebears who wished for world peace will echo again as a joint inter-Korean commitment toward "a Korean Peninsula of peace and mutual prosperity."