Chairman Lee Joongkeun: "The Devotion of the Parent Generation Built Today's Korea"

Parents' Day Ceremony Organized by the Korean Senior Citizens Association

President Lee Jaemyung Attends with First Lady Kim Hyekyung

"We Will Not Forget the Special Sacrifices Made for the Nation"

Lee Joongkeun, President of the Korean Senior Citizens Association and Chairman of Booyoung Group, stated on May 8, "Today's Republic of Korea was only made possible thanks to the devotion and sacrifice of the parent generation, who overcame difficult times and led the nation's industrialization and development."

President Lee made these remarks during his congratulatory address at the 54th Parents' Day ceremony held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry's International Conference Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on this day. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Korean Senior Citizens Association. This ceremony marks the first time the President and First Lady have attended the official Parents' Day event.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are entering the Parents' Day Celebration held on the 8th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by the Blue House Press Photographers Group

President Lee emphasized, "Parents' Day is more than just a commemorative holiday; it is a meaningful day to remember the love and sacrifice of the parent generation and to pass on its value to the next generation," adding, "We are all children of our parents, while at the same time living as parents to our own children."

He continued, "Parents' Day is not a day for just one specific generation, but 'a day for everyone' in which we continue the responsibilities of loving and respecting each other," stressing, "It is a day to reflect on the values of intergenerational respect and coexistence, beyond merely expressing gratitude."

The event was attended by approximately 230 people, including individuals recognized for filial piety, parents of firefighters and police officers who died in the line of duty, and elderly people living alone. Also present were Kang Hunsik, Presidential Chief of Staff; Jeong Eunkyung, Minister of Health and Welfare; Jung Chungrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Lee Jongchan, President of the Liberation Association; Jeong Daecheol, President of the Constitution Association of Korea; and the heads of 16 city and provincial federations nationwide.

On this day, a total of 22 people were awarded government honors for their exemplary filial conduct: 1 Order of Civil Merit, 1 Presidential Commendation Medal, 10 Presidential Citations, and 10 Prime Minister Citations. Among them, 6 recipients received their awards directly from President Lee.

Park Jaedoo, who received the Order of Civil Merit (Pomegranate Medal), was recognized for his devotion in caring for his mother, who lost her leg due to poverty, and for visiting her grave every day for more than 40 years after her passing. Park was also acknowledged for founding Donghae Confucian College and conducting filial education for over 5,000 students, soldiers, and foreigners annually, thereby contributing to the spread of traditional filial culture.

Kim Youngan, who received the Presidential Commendation Medal, was honored for caring for his mother, who became disabled in an accident, over 26 years while also supporting his wife with an intellectual disability and a child with autism, despite having a physical disability himself.

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