[비즈한국] On the 6th, President Lee Jae-myung attended the 70th Memorial Day commemoration ceremony and stated, "Veterans' affairs are the minimum gesture of respect for sacrifice and dedication, as well as a responsibility and duty that the state must uphold," adding, "Special sacrifices made for the greater good must be met with special compensation."
In his address that day, President Lee emphasized, "We must not forget that the freedom, peace, abundance, and prosperity we enjoy today are brilliant achievements that could never have been reached without those who sacrificed for our nation and community." He particularly promised, "The old saying that 'three generations are ruined if you participate in the independence movement, but three generations flourish if you collaborate with colonial rule' must now disappear. This must become a country where sacrifices made for the nation and community are met with fair rewards, and where dedication for the sake of all is honored above all else. The Lee Jae-myung administration will fulfill its responsibilities and duties."
He pledged to "elevate the level of respect and thicken the support," vowing to ensure that the spouses of war veterans do not face financial hardship and to establish a robust veterans' medical system. He also stated, "We will realize fair compensation for military service to provide treatment commensurate with the dedication of national veterans and discharged service members."
President Lee also promised to improve service conditions for those on the front lines, stating, "Thanks to the dedication of military personnel who keep watch through the night, firefighters struggling in disaster zones, and police officers running on the ground at crime scenes, our citizens can enjoy their daily lives with peace of mind." He added, "While these uniformed democratic citizens protect the people, the Republic of Korea will protect its military, police, and firefighters."
President Lee remarked that "creating a peaceful country without the fear of war and a safe country where daily life remains stable" is the most responsible response to the sacrifices and devotion of the fallen patriots. He encouraged the nation by saying, "Let us repay them by building a country where democracy and prosperity bloom on the foundation of secure peace, a country filled with pride and dignity."
According to the Presidential Office, after the Memorial Day ceremony concluded, President Lee visited Namseong Market in Sadang-dong, near the Seoul National Cemetery, and purchased side dishes and snacks with his wife, Kim Hye-kyung. The visit was reportedly an "impromptu move" rather than a pre-planned schedule.