[Full Text] President Yoon: "March 1st Movement, Completed by Unification... We Must Move Toward a Unified Korean Peninsula"

Attendance at the 105th Anniversary 3·1 Movement Ceremony
"All Efforts to Uphold the Value of Freedom and Build a Prosperous Han"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a commemorative speech at the 105th March 1st Movement Anniversary Ceremony held at the Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 1st, "My administration and I will uphold the value of freedom, the spirit of the March 1st Movement, and devote all efforts to building a happier and more prosperous Republic of Korea."

On the same day, at the 105th anniversary March 1st Movement commemorative ceremony held at the Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, President Yoon said, "105 years ago today, our ancestors declared that Korea is an independent nation and that the Korean people are its rightful owners."

President Yoon explained, "They held the Taegeukgi tightly in their hands, embraced their belief in freedom in their hearts, and launched a nationwide nonviolent struggle," adding, "At the root of the March 1st Independence Declaration was 'liberalism,' a major current in world history at the time."

He then emphasized cooperative Korea-Japan relations. President Yoon said, "The two countries are moving forward together toward a 'new world,' overcoming a painful past," and added, "The March 1st Independence Declaration demanded that our independence is the path for both countries to prosper and that we open a new world based on understanding and empathy."

Regarding bilateral relations, he emphasized, "Security cooperation between the two countries has become even stronger in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," and "We have become partners who share the values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, pursue common interests, and cooperate for world peace and prosperity." He stressed that the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan normalization next year should be an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a more productive and constructive level.

President Yoon stated, "The March 1st Movement is only complete when it leads to unification where everyone enjoys freedom and prosperity," and added, "Now, we must move toward a free and unified Korean Peninsula where all citizens are owners."

The following is the full text of the commemorative speech.

Respected citizens, 7 million overseas Koreans, and independence patriots, today marks the 105th anniversary of the March 1st Movement. I bow my head in respect to the patriots and independence activists who devoted themselves to the freedom and prosperity of our homeland. I sincerely thank the independence patriots and their families.

Citizens, 105 years ago today, our ancestors declared that Korea is an independent nation and that the Korean people are its rightful owners. They held the Taegeukgi tightly in their hands, embraced their belief in freedom in their hearts, and launched a nationwide nonviolent struggle.

The March 1st Independence Declaration of 1919 eloquently expresses the spirit of the March 1st Movement: "Our people seek to develop freely forever and to keep pace with the great current of world change shaped by humanity's conscience."

At the root of the March 1st Independence Declaration was 'liberalism,' a major current in world history at the time. Our ancestors believed that the blood they shed would water the soil and sprout the seeds of freedom, so that future generations could live happily in a country of freedom and prosperity.

Moreover, the March 1st Movement was a forward-looking independence struggle rarely seen in history. It dreamed of a new country where freedom is enjoyed by all, regardless of age or gender, rather than restoring monarchy. The beliefs and hopes of our ancestors have come true just as they wished.

Today, the Republic of Korea stands tall as a global pivotal state enjoying freedom and prosperity. As declared in the March 1st Independence Declaration, it has become a country that demonstrates new and outstanding vitality, contributes to world peace and prosperity, and offers a unique and attractive culture.

The journey to this point was by no means easy. At independence, half of our land in the North was taken by communist totalitarianism, and we endured a devastating war. However, no hardship could stop our challenge toward freedom and prosperity.

A country without capital or resources, devastated by war, built highways, nuclear power plants, and industries. Even in times when it was difficult to secure meals, we invested generously in science, technology, and education, looking toward the future.

I am truly proud of the great journey our people have overcome through countless hardships and challenges. My administration and I will uphold the value of freedom, the spirit of the March 1st Movement, and devote all efforts to building a happier and more prosperous Republic of Korea.

Citizens, today I would like us to reflect together on the history of our independence movement. Since the March 1st Movement, various forms of independence movements have unfolded at home and abroad. There were fighters who risked their lives in fierce armed independence struggles.

There were pioneers who engaged in diplomatic independence movements around the world, understanding the flow of international politics. There were practitioners who led educational and cultural independence movements to build our own capabilities. After the fall of imperialism, our independence was guaranteed thanks to all these pioneering efforts. The blood and sweat of independence activists gathered to achieve the independence of our homeland and laid the foundation of the Republic of Korea.

I believe that all the values of these independence movements must be properly evaluated, and their history must be passed down correctly from generation to generation. No one can monopolize history, and all citizens, and furthermore our descendants, should take pride and honor in this proud history of Korea.

My administration and I will strive to ensure that the sacrifices and dedication of our ancestors, from independence and nation-building to national revival, are properly remembered by future generations.

Respected citizens, the March 1st Independence Declaration demanded of Japan that our independence is the path for both countries to prosper and that we open a 'new world' based on understanding and empathy.

Now, Korea and Japan are moving forward together toward a 'new world,' overcoming a painful past. We share the values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, pursue common interests, and have become partners cooperating for world peace and prosperity. Security cooperation between the two countries has become even stronger in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

We have deep cooperation in industry, finance, and advanced technology, and last year, 9.28 million people traveled between the two countries. In the Middle East and Africa, where armed conflicts occurred, the two countries rescued each other's citizens and provided mutual assistance. If Korea and Japan continue to build trust through exchanges and cooperation and jointly address the difficult challenges left by history, we can open a brighter and new future for Korea-Japan relations.

I look forward to elevating bilateral relations to a more productive and constructive level on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan normalization next year.

Respected citizens, the March 1st Movement is only complete when it leads to unification where everyone enjoys freedom and prosperity. Now, we must move toward a free and unified Korean Peninsula where all citizens are owners.

North Korea still maintains a totalitarian regime and oppressive rule, unable to escape the worst regression and poverty. The North Korean regime relies solely on nuclear weapons and missiles, trapping 26 million North Korean residents in a swamp of misery and despair. Recently, it designated the Republic of Korea as its primary hostile country and eternal adversary. This is deeply regrettable.

Unification is not limited to the Korean Peninsula alone. The tyranny and human rights violations of the North Korean regime deny universal human values. Guaranteeing the universal values of freedom and human rights is precisely unification. Our unification efforts must become hope and a beacon for the North Korean people.

The government will not withdraw its helping hand toward North Korean residents and will continue efforts to improve North Korean human rights. We will warmly embrace defectors so that they can enjoy freedom and prosperity with us.

The government has designated July 14th of this year as "North Korean Defectors Day." I ask all our citizens to show warmer interest and consideration for defectors on this occasion.

Unification is a difficult task that we cannot achieve alone. The international community must join responsibly and work together. A free and unified Republic of Korea will contribute to peace and prosperity not only in Northeast Asia but also in the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

As President of the Republic of Korea, I will do my best to fulfill this historic and constitutional duty. Respected citizens, we now stand at the crossroads of a historic transformation.

We must revive the spirit of the March 1st Independence Declaration, expand freedom, extend peace, and move toward the path of prosperity. At the end of that path lies unification, toward which we must unite our hearts. Our government will lead with passion and dedication.

Let us join hands and open a new and hopeful future together!

Thank you.