President Lee: Donghak Revolution is the Root of Democracy; Vows to Build 'Warm Community'

President Lee Jae-myung paid profound tribute to the Donghak Peasant Revolution on its 132nd anniversary, unequivocally identifying it as a foundational event for South Korean democracy. Speaking at the national commemoration ceremony, President Lee lauded the participants of the 1894 uprising for their courage and sacrifice, stating that their 'resounding cheers and courage, and noble sacrifice' planted the 'precious seeds of democracy' in Korea. The President's remarks, delivered via a reading by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hui-young, underscored the historical significance of the revolution in establishing the principle that the people are the true foundation of the nation.

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I pay deep respect to the resounding cheers and courage, and noble sacrifice of the participants of the Donghak Peasant Revolution who sowed the precious seeds of democracy in this land.

President Lee drew a direct line from the aspirations of the Donghak revolutionaries to the goals of his current administration, the 'People's Sovereignty Government.' He articulated a vision for a 'warm community' where citizens exercise their rightful authority and share equitably in the nation's growth and success. This vision echoes the Donghak movement's pursuit of a 'Great Harmony World' (대동세상), a society characterized by fairness and shared prosperity. The President committed his government's full efforts towards realizing this ideal, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities for all and overcoming societal divides.

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The spirit of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, which resisted unjust power while dreaming of a world where everyone lives well, has become an unquenchable lamp in our hearts.

The President's address highlighted how the spirit of the Donghak Peasant Revolution has permeated subsequent historical movements in South Korea, including the Independence Movement, the April 19 Revolution, the May 18 Democratic Uprising, and the more recent 'Candlelight Revolutions.' He posited that this unbroken lineage of democratic struggle is the very source of South Korea's standing today as a 'model democratic nation' recognized globally. The commemoration serves not only as a historical remembrance but also as a reaffirmation of the enduring values of popular sovereignty and social justice that continue to shape the nation's identity and political aspirations.

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The People's Sovereignty Government is also aligned with the Great Harmony World that the peasants dreamed of in 1894. The government will do its utmost to create a warm community where the people are the true masters of the country, enjoy their rightful opportunities, and share the fruits of growth together.