(Unofficial translation)

It’s a pleasure to be here with you. For the second straight year, I’m very happy to see that you elders, who are recognized as persons of distinguished service to independence, are in good health. We all hope that you remain by our side for many years to come.

Descendants of decorated independence fighters have also come here from across the nation. We also have here many of these heroes’ descendants who have lived in Kazakhstan, Brazil, Russia and other places outside Korea. Some of you have newly obtained Korean citizenship. I wholeheartedly welcome all of you. It is truly wonderful that you’ve come. 

In the face of your patriotism, which transcends time and space, I am always in solemn awe. This is all the more poignant when such displays occur in a foreign land, far away from your ancestors’ home, and the passion carries across generations with the passage of time. On behalf of all the Korean people, I wish to express my respect and gratitude to every one of you who are either designated as having performed distinguished service to the independence movement or are a descendant of such a person.

Honored ladies and gentlemen, 

The independence movement represents the strength and spirit that made possible today’s Republic of Korea.

Those who died for their country in the independence movement were dedicated to establishing self-respect among the Korean people. They also were calling for the equality of all people. No differentiations were made in social status, social position or gender in the face of the great cause of independence for Koreans and love of country.

The signing of the Japan-Korea Treaty in 1904 prompted the circulation of an anti-Japanese petition nationwide. This campaign was initiated by Heo Wi (許蔿 1854-1908), acting presiding judge of the High Court. In modern terms, his position is equivalent to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Subsequently, Heo Wi became the commander of the combined righteous armies of the 13 provinces. He was eventually incarcerated in Seodaemun Prison and became the first anti-Japanese activist to die for his country. Kigai Sophia, Heo Wi’s great granddaughter, who had been living in Uzbekistan, is here with us today. 

The current Administration has uncovered the names of 202 women independence fighters. Twenty-six of these women have been selected to receive honors and decorations. These include Choe Bok-gil, Kim Gyeong-sin, Kim Hwa-ja, Ok Sun-yeong, and Lee Gwan-ok, who have been chosen for a posthumous bestowal of the Order of Merit for National Foundation. They contributed greatly to the independence of our country by organizing women’s local village associations under the Korean National Association in Suncheon, Pyongannam Province (present-day North Korea). They have been chosen to be among the major prize recipients this coming Liberation Day.

Presidential citations will be given to six students of what was formerly Paiwha Girls’ High School for shouting “Dongnip Manse!” (Long live independence!) in unison on the hill behind the dormitory and on the school grounds to mark the first anniversary of the March First Independence Movement. 

Lee Seon-ho of Choong Ang High School was a leader in the June 10 Manse Movement of 1926. The official statement from his Gyeongseong District Court trial that November was “I planned the demonstration with the resolve that if we scream ‘liberty,’ it will be realized.” The students’ anti-Japanese struggle began again in Gwangju three years later and spread to Mokpo, Naju, Seoul and ultimately nationwide. It helped to rekindle the popular movement against Japan. 

Also with us here today are two descendants of the great independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun. One hundred eight years ago, Ahn Jung-geun was about to be executed. During his last meeting with his priest Father Wilhelm, Ahn said that Korea’s independence movement was an undertaking that involved all people who longed to break away from oppression and recover their freedom.

Ahn wrote his essay entitled “On Peace in East Asia” while being held in a Chinese prison in Lüshun (part of Dalian). He stressed the role that Japan must play in achieving East Asian peace. Ahn also offered a vision for a future in which Korea, China and Japan would combine armed forces and issue joint banknotes. Ahn Jung-geun’s great spirit and life’s work for freedom and peace can still be felt today.

The late Chiba Toshichi (千葉十七 1885-1934), a prison guard, kept a portrait of Ahn Jung-geun that remains on display in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Certain Japanese scholars have also studied Ahn’s essay. An Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall and bronze statue are also in Harbin, China.

However, we have never been able to locate Ahn’s remains. The tomb that Kim Gu prepared for him in Seoul’s Hyochang Park is still empty. We have been unable to grant Ahn’s last request to reinter his body in his home country after Liberation.

Next year, we will celebrate the centennial of the March First Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Republic of Korea Government. We will work to locate the remains of Ahn Jung-geun through a joint project with North Korea. 

Honored guests, 

I believe that taking care of patriots and veterans is the foundation for making a strong nation.

Proper treatment of those who have sacrificed themselves for their country is the right thing for a nation to do. I believe it is also an excellent investment in the future. This is because the quality of life enjoyed by the families of persons of distinguished service to independence today is an indicator of the patriotism to be shown by future generations.

Increasing financial support to these families is the beginning of caring properly for patriots. As I have pledged, the amount of the special privileges fund that patriots receive has been raised by 50 percent from this year. More than 17,000 people are currently receiving financial assistance to ensure that the families of those who participated in the independence movement can live securely three generations down.

Proper care of the descendants of those who sacrificed for independence has also begun with providing benefits. We began from this year a service that entails personal visits to the homes of the children and grandchildren of these distinguished heroes. Housing is being provided to the descendants of all the decorated independence fighters who lived overseas and have now returned to live in Korea permanently.

We will also take care of your physical and mental health. This month, the new Incheon Veterans Hospital and Veterans Medical Research Institute are scheduled to open. Proper benefits for patriots are made complete by exhaustively uncovering and then remembering and repaying all the sacrifices that were made for the country.

As mentioned earlier, we have newly uncovered 202 women designated as persons of distinguished service to independence after close examination of the standards for awarding these heroes. The new criteria will go into effect from this coming Liberation Day. This is good news, although belated. Going forward, we will proactively seek out women as well as students and righteous army fighters who qualify as independence heroes so that they can be widely remembered by future generations and can receive the proper recognition.

Distinguished guests,

Today is also the Japanese Military Comfort Women Victims Memorial Day. After this luncheon, I will go to pay my respects.

Such brutal pain and agony must never be repeated. I pledge to work to set the historical record straight with truth and justice and to soundly guard the nation through peace.

We got our nation back through the independence movement, and we uphold the legitimacy of the Republic of Korea from the Provisional Government. The proud history of our homeland was written by you, the people here today. With the proper benefits for patriots, we will bring together the hearts and minds of the people, and we will create a stronger Republic of Korea for the present and future.

I hope you all stay healthy until I see you again.

Thank you.