President Lee Jae-myung pledged Monday to devote all efforts to overcoming the national crisis, drawing on the spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the power of national unity.
"We will make Admiral Yi Sun-sin's spirit our guiding light and the strong power of national unity our driving force, and devote all our efforts to overcoming the national crisis," Lee said at a ceremony in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, marking the 481st anniversary of the birth of Admiral Yi, also known by his posthumous title Chungmugong. "We will surely turn the current crisis into an opportunity for a new leap forward."
It was the first time a sitting president had attended the ceremony since the late former President Kim Young-sam.
"On this day honoring Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the hero who saved the nation, we once again deeply reflect on the reality we face and the historical mission we must overcome," Lee said. "The reality we face today is as high and fierce as the waves of that era."
He added that "the rapidly changing international order is creating uncertainty that makes it difficult to predict even a step ahead, and rising energy prices and price instability caused by the Middle East war are having a major impact on our economy and the lives of our people." He continued, "Just as Admiral Yi Sun-sin saved the country from national crisis, overcoming the current crisis together is the mission given to us."
Lee particularly emphasized, "To overcome the fierce storms coming from outside, unwavering strong solidarity within is essential." He said, "No matter how great the crisis, if the people unite with one heart, we can sufficiently overcome it."
"The reason Admiral Yi Sun-sin was able to defeat a Japanese fleet more than ten times larger with only 13 ships was because everyone, from the admiral to the soldiers and the people, was united as one," Lee said. "The people's sovereignty government will make Admiral Yi Sun-sin's spirit our guiding light and the strong power of national unity our driving force, and devote all efforts to overcoming the national crisis."
Lee also said, "We will establish a structure of shared growth in which the fruits of growth are distributed evenly to all citizens, and restore social trust by creating a fair society in which privilege and foul play are not tolerated."
"We will accelerate the energy transition and concentrate all our capabilities so that Korea can leap forward as a country leading the world in advanced technology fields including AI," he said. "Together with our great people, we will overcome the current crisis and move forward unwaveringly toward a country where all people are happy."
Lee also drew attention by emphasizing his respect for Admiral Yi. "Admiral Yi Sun-sin is the eternal hero of our people, who wrote a myth of victory rarely seen in world naval history," he said. "Even before the Imjin War broke out, he looked to the future and made thorough preparations, including building the turtle ships and conducting combat training."
"The secret to how Admiral Yi Sun-sin wrote the myth of consecutive victories on battlefields that crossed the line between life and death lies nowhere else," Lee said. "It was because he was armed with the stern sense of mission and love for the people, prepared to die to protect the people's safety — 'saengjeuksa sajeuksaeng' (he who seeks to live shall die, and he who is prepared to die shall live)."
Lee added, "That is why, even amid insufficient resources and despair, he united soldiers and people as one and saved the country from a crisis as precarious as a candle in the wind. Once again, I offer my deep respect and gratitude."
