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President Lee Jae-myung became the first incumbent president to attend the 66th anniversary of the 3.15 Uprising, offering sincere apologies and condolences to the bereaved families. The police, a symbol of past state violence, also bowed their heads in regret.

3.15 Uprising 66th Anniversary: First Apology from Incumbent President

President Lee Jae-myung attended the 66th anniversary ceremony of the 3.15 Uprising held at the Changwon National 3.15 Democracy Cemetery, marking the first time an incumbent president has done so. President Lee bowed deeply to the bereaved families, offering a heartfelt apology and comfort for the pain caused by state power. His apology was met with applause from the audience, and bereaved family members, who had lived with deep resentment, shed tears.

Police Apology and the Meaning of the Democratization Movement

The 3.15 Uprising was South Korea's first bloody democratization movement, initiated by citizens and students in Masan against the Syngman Rhee dictatorship, and served as a fuse for the 4.19 Revolution. The police, a symbol of past state violence, also bowed their heads before the bereaved families. Kim Jong-cheol, the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Commissioner, stated that the police had committed a grave error by using physical force against the public, leading to numerous casualties, and offered a sincere apology as one of those responsible.

*Source: YouTube: KBS News (2026-03-16)*

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