President Lee Expresses Gratitude at the "People's Appointment Ceremony" in Gwanghwamun Square on the 15th
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On the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, President Lee Jaemyung, during the 'National Appointment Ceremony' on August 15, emphasized 'popular sovereignty' as the highest value of state affairs, declaring, "As the 21st President of the Republic of Korea, I will serve faithfully as the devoted worker of the sovereign people, relying solely on the people, and will stride forward to create a nation where the people are the true owners and where the people are happy." President Lee stated, "Receiving the certificate of appointment fills me with boundless honor and an equally immense sense of responsibility," and pledged to place the aspirations of citizens, which erupted in the public squares last winter, at the center of national governance.
President Lee delivered these words of gratitude after receiving the 'Certificate of Light' at the National Appointment Ceremony held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul from 8 p.m. that evening. He referenced the 'Gwangbokdungi' generation born on August 15, 1945, those who survived the ravages of war in the 1950s, lives born on the 'Heungnam Evacuation Transport Ship,' and the succession of historical milestones including the April 19 Revolution, the May 18 Democratization Movement, the June Struggle, the Candlelight Revolution, and the 'Revolution of Light.' He stated, "The source of Korea's national strength has always been its people. Each and every one of you who protected the past, saved the present, and will open the future-your lives are the very history of modern Korea."
At this National Appointment Ceremony, 80 citizen representatives specially selected to mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation presented certificates of appointment to President Lee. Among those who personally handed over the certificates were Mok Janggyun, son of the late independence activist Mok Yeonuk; Lee Gukjong, director of the Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital and a leader in trauma surgery; Lee Yeonsu, CEO of NC AI, an artificial intelligence company; and Hur Gayoung, a Cannes Film Festival award-winning director. The delegation also included a couple who gave birth to quintuplets naturally, a couple who stood in front of armored vehicles during military dictatorship-era protests, and a village chief who led residents to safety during wildfires-individuals symbolizing various fields and moments in Korea's history.
In his message of thanks, President Lee highlighted 'public happiness' and 'the capabilities of the people' as the core of his governing philosophy. He stated, "The capabilities of the people are the capabilities of the nation," and added, "The prosperity of the people is the path to the prosperity of Korea." He continued, "Fostering the potential and abilities of the people is the driving force of national development, and as each of our 52 million citizens becomes happier, our national strength grows. That strength will be shared by all in a nation where the people are the true owners. At the center of every future we imagine and dream of will be our great people."
President Lee also addressed structural challenges such as regional decline and decreasing school-age population, introducing the wishes of children who hope their beloved schools will not disappear and the hopes of elders who wish their villages would be filled with children once again. He pledged to resolve these issues through community solidarity. Referring to the aspirations of residents of 'Freedom Village' in Daeseong-dong, Paju, he promised "a peaceful and safe nation where people can live without fear of war." Discussing the tears of disaster victims' families, he vowed to strengthen the state's responsibility for safety, declaring, "There must be no more unjust deaths."
President Lee also promised active support for entrepreneurs and scientists. He emphasized the role of business leaders who have responded to crises with bold challenges, stating, "We will support free growth so that our companies can compete confidently on the world stage." At the same time, he identified science and technology as the key to preparing for the future, pledging, "We will provide strong support so that scientists and engineers preparing for the nation's future can focus solely on innovation." Regarding culture and sports, he said, "The 'great power of culture' longed for by our forebears is no longer just a dream. We will give wings to that dream."
Finally, President Lee said, "The adversity before us is more daunting than ever, but compared to the many crises we have overcome, it is not insurmountable." He urged, "Let us overcome the current crisis with united strength and pass on an even more glorious and radiant homeland." He concluded, "I am endlessly proud to have been appointed as President of the Republic of Korea, a country rebuilt by the great people of Korea."
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