President Lee Jae Myung on March 5 chairs his eighth Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.

By Hong Angie

President Lee Jae Myung on March 8 marked International Women's Day by pledging "to build a society where differences do not lead to discrimination and where anyone can live safely."

He posted a message with this title on his X account, expressing his intent to develop Korea into a truly gender-equal nation.

"This year's International Women's Day, the first since the impeachment (of former President Yoon Suk Yeol), is all the more meaningful," President Lee said. "We are reminded of the challenges of gender equality in our society in reflecting on the hard work of those who sought to advance women's rights."

He praised women who helped protect democracy in the country, citing those who practiced solidarity at public squares in the martial law attempt of 2024 and received the Women's Movement Award of the Year from Korea Women's Associations United.

"In our country, women's rights activists such as Na Hye-seok and Park In-deok have marked International Women's Day since the 1920s," he said. "This was stopped due to Japanese oppression but official observance resumed in 1985 on the occasion of the first Korean Women's Convention."

"There were times when gender equality policies were somewhat weakened and suffered ups and downs, but we are now filling those gaps and putting such policies back on track," he added. "We are steadily building a solid basis to advance toward a truly gender-equal society."

President Lee also pledged to "create a society where differences do not lead to discrimination or exclusion, a community where everyone can live safely and with dignity."

On "Give to Gain," the theme of this year's International Women's Day, President Lee said he hoped the fruits of gender equality achieved together will transcend the barriers of sex, generation and social class and "warmly permeate" daily life in Korea.

shong9412@korea.kr