Yoon "People Should Enjoy Freedom and Human Rights Without Lack"
However, Economic Freedom Still... A Challenge of Our Time
Must Protect the Vulnerable to Open an 'Era of Commoners and the Middle Class'
President Yoon Suk-yeol is laying a wreath at the Memorial Tower for the Democratic Uprising during the 44th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the 5·18 Democratic Movement commemorative ceremony for the third consecutive year since his inauguration, paying tribute to the sacrifices of the democratic spirits and expressing gratitude to the merit recipients and bereaved families.
On the morning of the 18th, at the 44th anniversary 5·18 Democratic Movement commemorative ceremony held at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, President Yoon said, "The passionate solidarity of Gwangju in May 1980 laid the foundation for the freedom and prosperity of today's Republic of Korea."
President Yoon is the second president, following former President Roh Moo-hyun, to attend the 5·18 Democratic Movement commemorative ceremony for three consecutive years during his term.
To signify the passing down of the 5·18 spirit through generations, President Yoon welcomed and waited for a bus carrying representatives of the bereaved families along with descendants of the 5·18 merit recipients at the entrance of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, entered together through the 'Gate of Democracy,' and participated in flower offerings and incense burning.
In his commemorative speech, President Yoon paid respect to the noble sacrifices of the democratic spirits and conveyed consolation and gratitude to the 5·18 Democratic Movement merit recipients and bereaved families who have carried on the 'Spirit of May.'
President Yoon explained, "The Republic of Korea has fully blossomed the flower of liberal democracy with the Spirit of May, and each citizen enjoys political freedom and human rights that are not lacking compared to any other country in the world."
However, he pointed out that unlike the expansion of political freedom in our society, there are still many citizens who do not enjoy economic freedom, saying, "We are facing another era-defining challenge."
He continued, "We must rapidly grow the economy to restore the ladder of social mobility and raise the level of freedom and welfare enjoyed by the people," emphasizing, "We need to fairly share the fruits of growth and provide stronger protection for the socially vulnerable to open an era centered on the common people and the middle class, where all citizens can be happy."
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