President Lee Jae-myung said Friday that "punishing those who betrayed the community for personal greed is also a very important duty given to us, the living," speaking on Memorial Day.
Lee made the remarks while attending the 71st Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at the Seoul National Cemetery. "Only when we elevate sacrifice and punish betrayal can we achieve just unity for the continuation and development of the national community," he said. He added, "Through the 'Act on the Confiscation of Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Property,' promulgated on June 2, we will investigate and recover assets unjustly accumulated by pro-Japanese, anti-national figures, hold them accountable, and establish a precedent to prevent recurrence."
He also said, "No less than those who protected the past, we must also give due honor to the 'citizens in uniform' who are protecting the present." Lee said, "Thanks to the dedication of military service members, firefighters, police officers, coast guard members and correctional officers, the public can enjoy their daily lives in safety today," and promised, "The government will firmly support these 'citizens in uniform' so they can devote themselves to their core mission for the nation and the people without any shortcomings."
He continued, "We will improve the support system for injured service members so that soldiers unfortunately wounded during military service can be honored as recipients of veterans' benefits upon their discharge." He also noted, "We are now paying dependent family allowances to all 'disaster-injured soldiers and police up to Grade 7,' who had been relatively marginalized until now."
Lee said, "Today, the Republic of Korea is once again crossing waves of crisis," adding, "Just as we normalized a country devastated by insurrection, the high waves of the Middle East war that rushed in without time to catch our breath are having a major impact on our economy and lives." He stressed, "But because the Korean people have the strength to unite as a greater 'we' in the face of national hardship, I am confident we will overcome any crisis."
He continued, "A country where everyone can enjoy an equal life regardless of where they live, a safe country where all can live with peace of mind, a hopeful country where a tomorrow better than today can be expected, a great harmonious world full of peace and prosperity where we all prosper together — the Republic of Korea. I am confident that building such a proud country is the way to properly honor the sacrifice of our patriotic martyrs and fallen heroes and to further illuminate their noble spirit."
