Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn addresses to mark the 98th March 1st Independence Movement Day in a ceremony held at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on March 1. (Photo: Jeon Han Korea.net Photographer)
Fellow Koreans and overseas compatriots, decorated patriots who served the cause of Korean independence and bereaved families, distinguished guests,
This significant day commemorates the March First Independence Movement that marked a very critical watershed in Korean history. The March First Independence Movement was a non-violent resistance campaign for self-reliant independence in defiance of the Japanese imperialists who had forcefully taken over our land and enforced harsh military colonial rule.
Our forebears came together in unity with one mind and one heart irrespective of their social status, ideology, region, class, gender or age, eloquently showing the world their determination to achieve independence. The noble spirit of the March First Independence Movement was passed on through the legitimacy of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea and became the solid cornerstone for eventual liberation. It is the source of the resilient tenacity of Koreans who never succumb to any hardship or adversity.
Over the short span of just a half-century after liberation, inspired by the spirit of the March First Independence Movement, we built the Republic of Korea that stands tall in the world. It stands tall as an economic powerhouse that ranks near the global top 10 through the efforts of all Koreans who have triumphed over suffering brought by national division, the ruins left by the Korean War and abject poverty.
The freedom, peace and prosperity we enjoy today are attributable to our patriotic ancestors who went so far as to sacrifice their precious lives for the country’s self-reliant independence. Paying tribute to our martyred ancestors and patriots for their dedication, I send my deepest respect and gratitude to the descendants of all those who served the cause of independence with distinction.
Attendees of the March 1st Independence Movement Day commemorating ceremony shout "daehanminguk manse" (meaning "Long Live Korea") together (photo: Jeon Han Korea.net Photographer).
My fellow Koreans,
The year 2019 will mark the centennial of the March First Independence Movement. From this moment on, we have to relive the great spirit of the March First Independence Movement and prepare for another 100 years. We have to turn the spirit of self-reliant independence, self-development, world peace and co-prosperity espoused by our forebears through the March First Independence Movement into a spirit for the future.
To this end, the role of young people, the protagonists of the future, is crucial. Back during the March First Independence Movement, students and young adults, including the female patriotic martyr Ryu Gwansun, played a leading role in spreading peaceful, unarmed demonstrations nationwide.
Now young people are also suffering many difficulties. Therefore, we will uphold the spirit of the March First Independence Movement, by which we overcame the tribulations in history, and will tide over the current hardships by all means to usher in a future of hope for our nation. I believe in the potential and challenging spirit of young people. I will work hard to the best of my ability to help them realize their dreams to the fullest.
Fellow Koreans,
Ruminating on the historic meaning of the March First Independence Movement today, we resolutely renew our commitment to redoubling our efforts to help get past the national crisis facing us. We have to work out solutions to a variety of structural problems, including the North Korean nuclear threats, uncertainty about developments in Northeast Asia and the international community, the slowdown of the domestic and global economy and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as well as a low birth rate and an aging population.
In order to ensure that all Koreans can enjoy the peaceful and happy life that our forefathers aspired to, we must realize, more than anything else, a unified nation and bequeath it to our descendants. The Government has so far made efforts to lay the foundation for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula and develop inter-Korean relations in a mutually beneficial manner by fostering mutual trust.
In disregard of these efforts, however, North Korea has only focused on upgrading its nuclear capabilities by conducting nuclear tests and firing ballistic missiles while destroying the lives of its people and violating human rights. In particular, the recent murder of Kim Jong-Nam has revealed what the North Korean regime truly is—brutal, reckless and inhumane. The whole world was immensely shocked by the terrorist act committed at an international airport in a third country with a chemical weapon that is prohibited by international law.
Fellow Koreans,
The Government will strongly respond to provocations by the reckless North Korean regime. First of all, the Government will cooperate with the international community while maintaining a solid security posture in order to make the North abandon the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
On the basis of the solid ROK-U.S. combined defense posture, we will take stern retaliatory measures against any and all provocations and threats by North Korea. By further enhancing sanctions and pressure on the North, including the UN Security Council resolutions, the Government will make sure that the North changes its fallacious calculations. The Government will strive to make the North realize the uselessness of its nuclear weapons by further strengthening deterrence and defense capabilities of the ROK-U.S. alliance, including through the deployment of THAAD.
Next, the Government will also make efforts to address the appalling human rights violations in North Korea. Even now in the North, unspeakable atrocities such as public executions continue to take place in prison camps and at other places. The Government will continue to make enhanced endeavors together with the international community to make sure that perpetrators of human rights violations in the North are punished.
Based on the North Korean Human Rights Act enacted last year, we are already carrying out various measures such as fact-finding research into human rights violations by the North Korean regime. I hope that the North Korean Human Rights Foundation called for in the North Korean Human Rights Act will be launched as early as possible and will contribute to the improvement of the human rights in the North by engaging in full-fledged activities such as the provision of support for human rights organizations.
In addition, the Government will make constant efforts to lay the foundation for unification. Building a unified country based on liberal democracy constitutes the optimal solution to fundamentally resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and realizing the resurgence of all Korean people. Without substantive change in North Korea, however, it is impossible to realize the unification we are pursuing. To bring about changes in North Korea, it is necessary for us, in collaboration with the international community, to actively help the North Korean people to learn about the outside world and recognize the trends of the times.
When the two Koreas are unified, North Korean officials and residents will have rights and opportunities equal to those of South Koreans. The Government will make utmost efforts to ensure that North Korean defectors who symbolize unification that is to come can take deep root in our society and live as good citizens. I hope that all of you will also embrace them with warm hearts and enthusiastically support them.
Fellow citizens,
The starting point and necessary condition for a future-oriented partnership between the Republic of Korea and Japan is a proper understanding of history and the education of future generations. The Government will firmly respond to historical issues based on such firm principles.
In the meantime, we will continue to expand cooperation in mutually beneficial areas such as the economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges and further strengthen cooperation for peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia, including responses to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
The Japanese Government should squarely face history and have sincerity and consistency in educating future generations and reflecting on its past wrongdoings. Both Korea and Japan should truly respect the agreement on the victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese military and fully realize its purpose and spirit. In doing so, cooperative efforts need to be made so that the victims’ pains and wounds from the past can be healed and their honor and dignity can be restored. If the two countries make concerted efforts based on mutual understanding and trust, they will become true neighbors and will be able to develop a relationship that is mutually beneficial and future-oriented.
Fellow citizens,
Our patriotic martyrs resolutely stood up for the future of national liberation without losing hope and courage even in a dark age when the country had lost its sovereignty. This demonstrates their determined love of country. To uphold the spirit of the patriotic martyrs, harmony and unity are needed more than anything else.
Our society is suffering from a division of public opinion and growing conflicts due to a series of recent events, and people are even expressing enmity and jealousy toward each other. Now there need to be efforts to acknowledge each other’s differences and seek harmony and balance, building upon a respect for the spirit and value of the Constitution. The Government, for its part, will do all it can to stabilize state affairs and overcome the crisis with extraordinary determination.
Honoring the passionate patriotism and great spirit of unity of the martyrs who took part in the March First Independence Movement, let us all overcome the current crisis and move toward the future full of hope.