[Full Text] President Lee: "I Will Carry On the Spirit of the 'October 4 South-North Joint Declaration' and Walk the Path of Peaceful Coexistence and Shared Growth"

Memorial Address at the 17th Anniversary of Former President Roh Moo-hyun’s Passing

On May 23, President Lee Jaemyung attended the 17th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun held at Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongbuk, and pledged to carry on the spirit of the October 4 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration by steadfastly pursuing the path of peaceful coexistence and mutual growth. He also promised not to fear resistance from vested interests, to push forward reforms that remove unfair practices and privileges, and to build a nation where every region across the country prospers together.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a memorial speech at the 17th anniversary memorial service for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun held at Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam on May 23, 2026. May 23, 2026 [Photo by the Presidential Office Press Photographers Group] Yonhap News Agency

The following is the full text of the memorial address delivered at the 17th anniversary of the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun.

To all the citizens who have come to Bongha Village,

To Mrs. Kwon Yangsook and the bereaved family,

I extend my greetings. This is President Lee Jaemyung.

This marks the seventeenth May since President Roh Moo-hyun left us.

Spring returns to Bongha unfailingly every year,

But each time I come here, my feelings change a little more.

At first, I came as an ordinary citizen,

Then as the leader of the opposition,

Then as a presidential candidate.

And today, I stand here as the President, appointed by all of you, the people of our nation.

Since your passing, countless ‘Roh Moo-hyuns’ have been reborn in this land.

I am also one of them.

Now, beyond just remembering you,

As the President of the Republic of Korea, I feel the immense responsibility and weight of the office,

And I resolve to carry on your legacy.

A society where people can succeed without unfair practices or privileges,

Where everyone is justly rewarded for their hard work.

A country where both the capital and the regions grow and develop together.

A warm community where people do not turn away because of differences in background or environment,

But instead understand and embrace one another.

A world where no one is forced to give up on life simply because of livelihood issues.

A Republic of Korea where people are respected as dignified human beings.

This is the vision of Korea that President Roh Moo-hyun devoted his life to building.

The dreams that you could not complete—

The government of popular sovereignty will see them through to fulfillment.

I will not fear the resistance of vested interests,

And I will unwaveringly push forward reforms to eliminate unfair practices and privileges.

I will build a balanced and prosperous Korea,

Where no region or citizen is left behind,

And everyone across the nation prospers together.

I will transform the division line into a path of peace,

And, inheriting your achievement of the October 4 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration,

I will steadfastly walk the path of peaceful coexistence and mutual growth.

Just as you did,

I will always put what is right before what is politically advantageous or disadvantageous.

I will choose conscience over compromise, sincerity over calculation.

The only true measure of a successful president

Is whether the lives of the people improve, and I will keep that engraved in my heart,

And dedicate all my abilities to this cause.

Though many years have passed,

I am still not accustomed to your absence.

Yet, through this absence,

I feel your presence all the more vividly.

We are living in ‘the era of Roh Moo-hyun’—an era where you are physically absent, yet ever-present.

You once said you liked being called ‘Fool Roh Moo-hyun’ the most,

And you wished to be remembered that way.

You humbled yourself, saying you would be a modest power to build a strong nation.

You smiled and said that if criticizing the president helped relieve people’s stress, you would gladly take it on.

Even after returning to Bongha Village following your presidency,

Whenever citizens called out, “Mr. President, please come out,”

You would come out into the yard several times a day,

Engaging in conversation, singing, and sharing time with everyone.

You were not just warm, but passionate—

‘Roh Moo-hyun the human being’ was more human than anyone, and we all remember you still.

You said, “The organized power of awakened citizens advances history.”

“The power of the people is greater than that of authority.”

“Democracy is protected not by a few leaders,

But by the participation and solidarity of citizens.”

These were your words.

The unwavering faith you left behind

Is being constantly proven by the people of Korea.

Mr. President,

I will do everything to protect this country and its people whom you cherished and loved so dearly.

Even if we sometimes stop or stumble along the way,

We will never retreat.

Your dreams, which are the past and future of all of us,

I will do my utmost to make them reality.

Please continue to watch over us. Thank you.

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