President Lee: "April 19 Is a Beacon of Democracy... We Will Not Forget Extraordinary Sacrifice and Dedication"

On April 19, marking the 66th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "The bold courage of citizens who rose up resolutely became a beacon of democracy, illuminating the path at every crossroads in the turbulent modern history of Korea." Addressing the contributors and their families, he pledged, "We will never forget that the freedom, prosperity, and peace we enjoy today are firmly rooted in the special sacrifices and dedication made for our community."

President Lee made these remarks while attending the 66th anniversary ceremony of the April 19 Revolution, held at the National April 19 Democracy Cemetery in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, together with First Lady Kim Hye-kyung. This year’s ceremony was conducted under the slogan, "Small Lights Gather to Form One Path." Approximately 1,000 major contributors, bereaved families, and key figures from various sectors attended the event.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a commemorative speech at the April 19 Revolution memorial ceremony held at the National April 19 Democracy Cemetery in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. April 19, 2026 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee emphasized, "On April 19, 1960, the wave of uprisings that swept across the country finally brought down a dictatorship that had seemed impenetrable," adding, "This great victory, which reminded us that the people are the true owners of the nation, has been inscribed as a UNESCO Memory of the World and will now be proudly remembered as a democratic revolution in world history."

He continued, "On the foundation of the April 19 democratic spirit, which stood against injustice, our Republic of Korea was able to achieve a remarkable leap and prosperity, becoming one of the world’s top ten economies as well as a leading cultural powerhouse," and evaluated that "the fundamental order of liberal democracy, achieved by the sweat and sacrifice of the people, served as the driving force for each individual’s creativity and potential, and became the basis of our resilience, turning national crises into opportunities."

In particular, President Lee stressed, "The spirit of April 19, which continued through the Busan-Masan Uprising, the May 18 Democratic Movement, the June Democratic Uprising, and on to the Candlelight Revolution and the Revolution of Light, blossomed as the power of a strong solidarity yearning for a true sovereign nation," and asserted, "Because of the April 19 spirit that broke the iron chains of dictatorship and became the root of the Korean Constitution, on a winter night in December 2024, the people of Korea were finally able to overcome the night of rebellion."

He also promised rewards and recognition for the contributors. President Lee pledged, "The government will continue to identify, honor, and record every individual who sacrificed for democracy on this land, including the April 19 Revolution, leaving no one behind," and vowed, "We will further strengthen and meticulously provide urgent medical support for elderly contributors to the April 19 Revolution."

President Lee further stated, "Our proud history of democracy did not come to us calmly, like a cruise ship with sails in a fair wind," explaining, "Just a year after the April 19 Revolution, a military coup took place, and even as one of the world’s top ten economies and a model democracy, we experienced an earth-shattering coup by loyalist military forces."

President Lee Jae-myung is offering incense at the April 19 Revolution Memorial Ceremony held at the National April 19th Democratic Cemetery in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul on the 19th. 2026.4.19 Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee continued, "We must constantly prove that democracy is the most effective and rational system that can discover the potential and capabilities of each of Korea’s 52 million citizens, allow everyone to pursue happiness through their own dreams, and ensure the dignity of every individual life," adding, "Only then can we prevent anti-democratic forces from again seizing our freedom and daily lives, and violating the precious lives of the people."

Additionally, President Lee quoted the poem "Let the Shells Go" by poet Shin Dong-yup, saying, "In honor of the noble intentions of the fallen souls, we remember the true essence of politics left to us by the April 19 Revolution." He added, "I will devote all my strength to passing on the democracy of freedom, equality, unity, and solidarity—etched into the DNA of the Korean people—to an even brighter future."

He concluded his commemorative address by saying, "A human life is the same for everyone. Whether one life or a hundred, for each person it is a universe unto itself. To be able to give one's life for everyone is not something just anyone can do. That is why we must remember."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.