Moon Jae-in Visits 4·19 Democratic Cemetery: "Democracy Must Expand Beyond Politics" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 19th, President Moon Jae-in visited the National April 19th Democratic Cemetery to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the April 19 Revolution and emphasized the importance of democracy through social networking services (SNS), stating, "We expanded democracy even amid COVID-19."

On the morning of the same day, President Moon visited the April 19 Democratic Cemetery located in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, along with his aides to pay respects.

Upon arriving at the symbolic gate, President Moon greeted Kim Yong-gyun, chairman of the April Association, and other officials, then moved to the April 19 Memorial Tower, the site for laying wreaths, guided by Lee Chang-seop, the director of the National April 19 Democratic Cemetery.

While moving to the wreath-laying site, President Moon briefly stopped to salute the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag) displayed in a formation, then upon arriving at the April 19 Memorial Tower, lightly placed both hands on the wreath and, while keeping his hands on it, stepped forward three paces to lay the wreath.

Afterward, he completed incense offering, observed a moment of silence with the attendees, and then departed. Those accompanying him included Chief of Staff Yoo Young-min, Policy Chief Lee Ho-seung, National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, Chief of Security Yoo Yeon-sang, Senior Secretary for Civil Society Bang Jeong-gyun, Spokesperson Park Kyung-mi, First Secretary Shin Ji-yeon, Protocol Secretary Tak Hyun-min, and Secretary for Social Integration Kim Young-moon.

Prior to the visit, President Moon emphasized the importance of democracy through social networking services (SNS), stating, "We expanded democracy even amid COVID-19."

President Moon said, "Democracy grows through the interest of the people," and added, "When democracy continuously expands beyond politics to the economy and daily life, it will protect us from oppression, discrimination, and unjust power." He further stated, "International challenges such as overcoming infectious diseases and achieving carbon neutrality will also be solved only through democracy that fosters deeper understanding and inclusion among each other."

President Moon evaluated the April 19 Revolution as the catalyst for the development of our democracy, leading to the Bu-Ma Democratic Protests, the May 18 Democratization Movement, the June Democratic Uprising, and the Candlelight Revolution, emphasizing that the government has done its best to honor democratization movements.

He said, "We established the February 28 Daegu Democratic Movement and March 8 Daejeon Democratic Uprising as national memorial days and additionally awarded those who contributed to the April 19 Revolution," adding, "This month, two contributors were newly interred at the April 19 Democratic Cemetery, and we are promoting the registration of April 19 Revolution-related records as UNESCO World Heritage."