In his special address, President Lee Jae-myung stated that Korea marks the one-year anniversary of overcoming the unprecedented crisis of democracy in a peaceful manner during the ‘12.3 Emergency Martial Law.’ He emphasized the Korean people’s deserving qualifications for the Nobel Peace Prize for demonstrating the greatness of democracy worldwide.
President Lee announced that December 3 would be designated as ‘National Sovereignty Day’ through legislative procedures, to honor the courageous actions and solidarity shown by the citizens during the coup attempt. He remarked that the peaceful prevention of the coup by unarmed citizens was a historic first, showcasing the high level of sovereign consciousness and the resilience of Korean democracy to the world.
President Lee praised the people’s efforts during the coup, including blocking military vehicles, assisting lawmakers, and safeguarding the National Assembly. He reflected on how citizens turned a potential dark period into a bright future with non-violence. The address also focused on the ongoing investigations and trials related to the coup, with emphasis on ‘righteous integration’ to prevent any future coup attempts.
Globally, Lee hopes that Korea’s peaceful overcoming of a democratic crisis can serve as a pivotal example for other divided nations. He conveyed the continuous commitment to uphold democracy and declared that the journey of the ‘Revolution of Light’ had not ended, with promises to build a more prosperous and humane nation.
In closing, President Lee expressed his gratitude, recognizing the international attention and high expectations set on Korea and its people for their courageous stand and contributions to the potential new standards in global democracy.