President Lee Meets Yugahyeop on 40th Anniversary: "We Will Never Forget or Fail to Honor the Sacrifices"

President Lee Hosts Luncheon at the Blue House for Yugahyeop

"Deeply Moved to Welcome the Parents I Met on the Streets to the Blue House"

Yugahyeop Calls for Prompt Passage of the Democratic Merit Law and Collective Honors for Victims

On August 5, President Lee Jae-myung met with the families of victims of the democratization movement and stated, "Thanks to the fierce struggles of many, the Republic of Korea is regaining and normalizing its democracy. We will never forget those sacrifices and will always strive to remember and honor them."

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the 40th anniversary luncheon of the National Ethnic Democratic Bereaved Families Association held at the Blue House on August 5, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

At a luncheon held at the Blue House that day to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the National Ethnic Democratic Bereaved Families Association (Yugahyeop), President Lee said, "I have mostly met mothers and fathers of the association on streets and roadsides, so it is deeply moving to see you here at the Blue House," expressing his feelings.

President Lee went on to say, "Thanks to the tireless struggles of our parents, families, and those who sacrificed themselves, the Republic of Korea is regaining and normalizing its democracy. I will always remember your efforts, the sacrifices of the victims, and your role in creating and defending democracy."

President Lee also expressed his commitment to doing his best to realize the society envisioned by the bereaved families and victims. He said, "Even if we may not be able to create the world you and the victims earnestly wished for to perfection, we are doing our utmost to strive toward it."

He continued, "It is always regretful that we cannot do as much as we intend," adding, "Today, I will listen to what you have to say and do my best to find what more we can do."

Earlier, President Lee apologized to the attendees for arriving late, explaining, "You must have waited a long time. I am sorry," as the foreign affairs and security departments' work briefing took longer than expected. He added, "When receiving work briefings, it often takes longer than anticipated," before personally greeting each family member present.

On August 5, 2026, a luncheon commemorating the 40th anniversary of the National Ethnic Democratic Bereaved Families Association is being held at the Blue House, hosted by President Lee Jae-myung. Photo by Yonhap News.

In his remarks, Chairman Jang Namsoo of the association requested expedited passage of the bill on honoring democratic merit, which would recognize 136 victims of the democratization movement and others as persons of national merit.

Chairman Jang said, "There is significance in the enactment of the law that allows those who were punished as subversives or traitors simply for criticizing an unjust regime while fighting for democracy to be recognized as persons of national merit. Even if we forgo other benefits, our goal is to restore the honor of being recognized as national merit recipients."

He also proposed that posthumous honors and medals be granted en bloc to all victims who lost their lives during the democratization movement. Chairman Jang noted that previous administrations had recognized and bestowed medals on 6 to 7 victims annually, but only about 30 out of the total 136 had been honored so far, and therefore requested posthumous medals for the remaining 100 or so victims.

The luncheon was attended by Chairman Jang and other members of the association, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojoong, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul, and Lee Hojung, Standing Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

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