President Lee: "Parents Should Enjoy a Worry-Free Retirement... Will Expand Practical Support"

Congratulatory Address at Parents' Day Ceremony: First Attendance by the Presidential Couple
"Policies for Integrated Care and 1.15 Million Jobs for Seniors to Be Implemented; Practical Support to Be Further Expanded"
Carnations for Parents of Fallen Firefighters and Police Officers: "The Nation Will Fulfill Its Duty of Filial Piety"

On May 8, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "Fathers and mothers who have devoted their entire lives should be able to enjoy a happy retirement without worry," announcing plans to expand institutional support to better back the lives of the older generation.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are performing the national ceremony at the Parents' Day celebration held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul on May 8, 2026. Photo by Cheongwadae Press Corps, Yonhap News Agency

During his congratulatory address at the 54th Parents' Day ceremony held that morning at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s International Conference Hall, President Lee referenced policies such as integrated community care, dementia asset management services, and the largest-ever provision of 1.15 million jobs for seniors. He said, "We will take even more attentive and considerate care of our parents’ lives, and will continue to expand practical systems and support." First Lady Kim Hye-kyung also attended the event. This was the first time the presidential couple attended the Parents' Day ceremony together.

Under the theme, "Parents! With the wings of your love, you helped our flowers bloom," the ceremony was held to reflect on the meaning of filial piety and to convey gratitude and respect to the parent generation who have devoted themselves to their children and the nation. The event was attended by about 230 people, including those recognized for their exemplary filial conduct, parents of firefighters and police officers who died in the line of duty, and seniors living alone. Kang Hoon-sik, Cheongwadae policy chief; Moon Jin-young, Cheongwadae senior secretary for social affairs; Chung Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare; and Lee Joong-geun, President of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, were also present.

Notably, the event was attended by the parents of police and firefighters who died while responding to incidents such as fires in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, and Gimje, North Jeolla Province. President Lee and First Lady Kim personally pinned carnations on these parents as a gesture of gratitude and respect for those who lost their lives serving the safety of the nation and its citizens.

President Lee addressed them, saying, "On Parents' Day, a day to share warmth, there are some who mourn family members they cannot meet," adding, "With a sense of filial duty and responsibility as a nation, we have pinned carnations on the bereaved families today as a pledge that the nation will always stand by them." Cheongwadae explained that this act embodied President Lee's governing philosophy of expressing lasting gratitude, respect, and honor for sacrifices made for the country.

The ceremony began with a themed video presentation for Parents' Day, followed by remarks from Lee Joong-geun, President of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, awards for exemplary filial conduct, the carnation ceremony, and finally the President's congratulatory address.

Previously, President Lee also wrote on Facebook under the title, "To Parents Who Have Willingly Embraced the World of Children," saying, "A parent lives carrying as many worlds as the number of children they have. I only truly realized this after becoming the father of two," and added, "We will continue to take even more attentive and considerate care of our parents' lives and expand practical support." He emphasized, "We will move toward a 'nation where the people are happy,' in which the state and community share responsibility together, rather than a society that depends solely on the unilateral sacrifice of parents."

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