Yoon's First March 1st Speech... "Japan, from Invader to Partner"

Attending the March 1st Movement Ceremony: "If We Fail to Prepare for the Future, Past Misfortunes Will Repeat"
Avoiding Mention of Forced Labor Compensation Issue, Emphasizing 'Korea-US-Japan Trilateral Cooperation'

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated at the first March 1st Independence Movement Day ceremony since his inauguration that "Japan has transformed from a militaristic aggressor of the past into a cooperative partner." President Yoon emphasized, "It is clear that if we fail to read the changing currents of world history and properly prepare for the future, the misfortunes of the past will inevitably repeat."

In his commemorative speech at the 104th March 1st Independence Movement Day ceremony held on the morning of the 1st at the Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, President Yoon said, "We must consider how to overcome the current global complex crises, the severe security situation including the North Korean nuclear threat, and the crises of division and polarization within our society."

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a commemorative speech at the 104th March 1st Movement Anniversary Ceremony held at the Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 1st.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon evaluated, "The March 1st Independence Movement 104 years ago was an independence movement to establish a nation where the people are the owners and a free democratic country, as seen in the Korean Declaration of Independence and the Provisional Government Charter," adding, "It was a historic day that showed what kind of world we, who longed for new change, aspired to."

He then stressed reflection on the past and preparation for the future. President Yoon said, "Today, 104 years later, we must look back on our past when we lost national sovereignty and suffered because we were not properly prepared for changes in world history," and added, "It is clear that if we fail to read the changing currents of world history and properly prepare for the future, the misfortunes of the past will inevitably repeat."

Regarding Japan, he referred to it as a "cooperative partner." President Yoon elaborated, "Now, a century after the March 1st Movement, Japan has transformed from a militaristic aggressor of the past into a cooperative partner that shares universal values with us and cooperates in security, economy, and global agendas." However, he did not mention sensitive issues such as compensation for forced labor victims during the Japanese colonial period, which are currently under negotiation between the two countries.

Additionally, he emphasized trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan amid global complex crises. President Yoon said, "Cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan to overcome complex crises and serious security threats such as the North Korean nuclear threat has become more important than ever," and added, "We must unite and cooperate with countries that share universal values to expand the freedom of global citizens and contribute to the common prosperity of the world."

Meanwhile, the ceremony was held under the theme "Again, Republic of Korea! A New Nation of the People." The Presidential Office explained that the theme embodies the spirit of the March 1st Movement and its noble sacrifices, aiming to achieve national unity amid the severe economic, social, and security realities we face and to move forward together toward a new leap into the future. A total of 104 individuals were awarded for their contributions to independence on this March 1st. During the ceremony, medals and other honors were directly presented to the families of five award recipients.