President Lee Delivers Tearful Parents’ Day Address: "Toward a Nation Where the State and Community Share Responsibility"

President and First Lady Attend Parents' Day Ceremony
To Parents of Fallen Public Officials: "The State Will Fulfill Its Filial Duties and Responsibilities"
President Lee Pauses During Parents' Day Speech, Overcome with Emotion
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On May 8, at the 54th Parents' Day ceremony, President Lee Jae-myung addressed the parents of fallen public officials, stating, "The nation will fulfill its duties and responsibilities as a 'devoted child' and stand by you until the end." During his speech, President Lee repeatedly held back tears as he read his prepared remarks.

President Lee Jae-myung delivers a congratulatory speech at the Parents' Day ceremony held on May 8 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. 2026.5.8 Photo by the Blue House Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

In his congratulatory address at the ceremony held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, President Lee said, "Today, here with us are the parents of public officials who lost their lives protecting the lives of our people," adding, "I am well aware that no words can fully console the grief of losing a beloved child."

At this point, President Lee paused several times, struggling to compose himself before continuing his speech. He went on to say, "We will solemnly remember the noble sacrifices of those who fulfilled their duties until the very end in the most dangerous situations."

President Lee also mentioned that he pinned carnations on the bereaved families of fallen public officials. "Today, as a sign of the nation's determination to fulfill its duties and responsibilities as a devoted child and to stand by you until the end, I pinned carnations on the bereaved families," he said, asking the attendees to offer a round of applause for their consolation and encouragement.

President Lee also expressed gratitude for the dedication of the parental generation and announced plans to expand support for senior citizens. "Fathers and mothers who have devoted their entire lives should be able to enjoy a happy old age without worries," he said. "We will take even more attentive and heartfelt care of our parents' lives and continue to expand practical systems and support." Specifically, he explained, "We are preparing institutional measures to ensure a healthy and vibrant later life, such as 'community-integrated care,' the 'Dementia Safety Asset Management Service,' a record-high 1.15 million jobs for seniors, and improvements to unreasonable pension systems."

President Lee emphasized that the dedication of parents created today's Republic of Korea. "Every parent carries as many worlds on their shoulders as they have children," he said. "They give their support unconditionally, help their children up whenever they stumble, and devote their present to their children's future. It is on this silent dedication that today's Republic of Korea stands." He continued, "The earnest desire to pass on a better world to our beloved children has been the root of this nation and the driving force behind its prosperity and growth."

President Lee Jae-myung is wiping tears after giving a congratulatory speech at the Parents' Day ceremony held on the 8th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Before the speech, President Lee pinned carnations on the parents of fallen police officers and firefighters. May 8, 2026. Photo by Blue House Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

President Lee also stated that the responsibilities of care and support should not rest solely with parents and children. "There is a saying that it takes a whole village to raise a child," he said, "and every parent is also taking on the heavy responsibilities that should be borne by the nation and the community." He emphasized, "Only in a country where raising children does not become a burden for parents, and caring for parents does not become a burden for children, can everyone look forward to tomorrow and dream of a better future."

Furthermore, President Lee declared, "We will move toward a 'nation where the people are happy,' where the state and the community share responsibilities together, rather than a society that relies solely on the unilateral sacrifices of parents. I believe this is the highest form of filial piety in return for the hard work of our mothers and fathers."

About 230 people attended the ceremony, including the presidential couple, honorees recognized for filial conduct, parents of fallen firefighters and police officers, and elderly citizens living alone. The event was also attended by Hoje Woo, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Jin-Young Moon, Chief Social Policy Aide at the Office of the President, Jeong Eun-kyeong, Minister of Health and Welfare, Lee Joongkeun, President of the Korea Senior Citizens Association, and Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. This is the first time the presidential couple has attended the Parents' Day ceremony together.

During the ceremony, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung personally pinned red carnations—symbols of consolation, gratitude, and respect—on the chests of 11 parents of firefighters and police officers who died in the line of duty for public safety. Those honored included the parents of Fire Lieutenant Kim Sugwang and Fire Sergeant Park Suhoon, who died in the fire in Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk; Fire Sergeant Seong Gongil, who died fighting a residential fire in Gimje, Jeonbuk; Fire Lieutenant Lim Seongcheol, who died in a warehouse fire in Jeju; and Inspector Yoo Jaeguk, who died while searching for a person who jumped from the Gayang Bridge, as well as the father of Fire Sergeant Lee Hohyun, who died in a fire in Gangneung, Gangwon. President Lee held the parents' hands tightly as he pinned the carnations, and First Lady Kim, with tears in her eyes, hugged the mother of one fallen public official.

Before his speech, President Lee asked, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare invited all the party leaders, didn't they? Surely, they didn't just invite Representative Jeong Cheongrae?" He added, "It's a sensitive time, and I don't want any misunderstandings. I understand the others couldn't come because they were busy," and explained, "These things can cause issues later." This remark is interpreted as awareness that only Representative Jeong was present ahead of the local elections, which could lead to unintended speculation.

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