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President Lee Jae-myung Attends 3·15 Uprising Ceremony for First Time as Incumbent President, Apologizes and Pledges Support for Democracy Activists
Incumbent President's First Attendance at the 66th Anniversary of the '3·15 Uprising'
President Lee Jae-myung attended the 66th anniversary ceremony of the '3·15 Uprising' held at the National 3·15 Democracy Cemetery in Masan, Gyeongsangnam-do, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung. This marks the first time an incumbent president has participated in the ceremony since the 3·15 Uprising was designated a national commemorative day in 2010. President Lee signed the guestbook, pledging to 'repay with the completion of democracy,' honoring the sacrifices made. In his commemorative speech, President Lee emphasized that the 3·15 Uprising was the beginning of the history of popular sovereignty, commending the citizens and students of Masan for reminding the dictatorial regime that the people are the true owners of the nation.
Government Apology and Pledge to Support Democracy Activists
President Lee stated that the spirit of 3·15 has served as a model that revitalized the nation during times of crisis, from the Buma Uprising and the May 18 Democratization Movement to the June Democracy Movement, the Candlelight Revolution, and the Revolution of Light. He specifically acknowledged the numerous casualties caused by state power and, as the President representing South Korea, extended a sincere apology and condolences to the families of the victims. This marks the first official government apology in 66 years since the 1960 uprising. President Lee pledged to do his utmost to ensure that the spirit of democracy activists takes root throughout society and is passed on to future generations, promising appropriate treatment for them.
*Source: YouTube: YTN (2026-03-15)*
