[Politics That Day] Park Geun-hye's August 15th Speech: "South and North Together for the 70th Liberation Anniversary"

President's 2nd Year Inaugural Address under Park Geun-hye Administration
Message on Inter-Korean Cooperation Ahead of 70th Liberation Day
"Preparing Cultural Projects for Joint Liberation Commemoration by North and South"

Editor's Note‘On That Day in Politics’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

If you were to pick the single most important presidential congratulatory address, the August 15 Liberation Day speech cannot be overlooked. While the March 1st Movement speech focuses on relations with Japan, the August 15 speech can incorporate a broader range of issues beyond Korea-Japan relations, including the Korean Peninsula’s current affairs and the direction of national governance.

Timing-wise, it is a useful opportunity to reveal the president’s perception of state affairs ahead of the regular September National Assembly session. Sometimes, ‘major proposals’ in political, social, and economic areas are included. Regardless of the content, the August 15 Liberation Day speech inevitably becomes a focal point of political attention.

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s August 15 speech is no exception. In his 78th anniversary Liberation Day address, President Yoon stated, “Anti-state forces that blindly follow communist totalitarianism, distort public opinion through fabricated propaganda, and disrupt society are still rampant.”

President Yoon said, “In the reality of division where liberal democracy confronts communist totalitarianism, the agitation of anti-state forces will not easily disappear.”

President Yoon’s speech has become a subject of political interest. There is attention on the analysis of the content and direction of the speech delivered in the second year of his term and its repercussions. Some analyses suggest that President Yoon’s message reflects the characteristics of a conservative government.

Then, what was the content of the August 15 speech in the second year of the previous conservative government under Park Geun-hye?

At the 69th anniversary Liberation Day in 2014, then-President Park Geun-hye stated, “If we prepare cultural projects for the 70th anniversary of liberation next year that North and South Korea can commemorate together, it would be very meaningful.”

Former President Park Geun-hye is greeting citizens on the morning of the 15th at the birthplace of former President Park Chung-hee in Sangmo-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Although the premise was cultural projects, the proposal to plan and prepare the 70th liberation anniversary event jointly by North and South Korea was a significant statement.

In particular, then-President Park defined the preparation for unification as “an urgent historical mission that can no longer be postponed.”

Regarding the deadlocked inter-Korean relations, then-President Park said, “Inter-Korean relations are difficult and challenging, but just as the beginning of spring starts in the cold, I believe good energy is already present.”

She added, “Spring does not suddenly come one day. Only those who prepare in advance can know the future,” leaving a lingering message.

At the time, the opposition party focused on politically analyzing the background of President Park’s message. Although the opposition’s response was generally not favorable, the criticism centered more on the specifics of implementation rather than the direction itself.

On August 15th, the 77th anniversary of Liberation Day, citizens are marching towards Bosingak in Jongno, Seoul, waving the Taegeukgi./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The ruling party then, Saenuri Party, evaluated through a chief spokesperson’s commentary that “it presented a vision for moving toward a new, innovative, and changing Republic of Korea along with a strong will for peace on the Korean Peninsula.” Although reactions from ruling and opposition parties were divided, then-President Park’s message was sufficient to emerge as a key keyword in the political landscape.

The second year of a president’s term is a period when the momentum to realize national tasks is still alive. This is why political attention is focused on the president’s Liberation Day speech.

At the time of announcement, the president’s Liberation Day speech typically sees a repeated pattern of ruling party support and opposition party criticism, but over time, a calm evaluation of the message follows.

Historians inevitably take a close look at what kind of state philosophy the president embedded, the background and meaning of the message, and the influence it had on the era’s trends.

Ultimately, historical evaluation is carried out calmly and meticulously after the chaotic times have passed.