During a senior advisors meeting at the Blue House, President Lee emphasized, "We must correct the wrong history to prevent the same tragedy from recurring." He highlighted the importance of confronting past mistakes rather than superficially reconciling them, advocating for a just integration based on reflection and accountability.
His remarks appeared to target Starbucks Korea, which faced backlash for its recent 'Tank Day' marketing campaign that was deemed disrespectful to the Gwangju Uprising, as well as Musinsa, which used a controversial advertising slogan in 2019.
President Lee criticized state violence as a serious crime that tramples on the human rights and lives of citizens, stating, "It is an inhumane and antisocial crime committed with the authority delegated by the sovereign to ensure the safety and better lives of the people." He argued that treating state violence on par with other crimes is unjust, citing that the Nazi war crimes are still held accountable today.
He called for the swift enactment of legislation to abolish statutes of limitations for state violence crimes and to eliminate the expiration of civil claims for damages. He also stressed the need for a national compensation system to aid in victim recovery and to expedite the cancellation of honors awarded to those involved in state violence.
Additionally, President Lee addressed the rising cost of living due to the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, urging strict oversight against unscrupulous price increases that exploit the current hardships without valid reasons. He requested meticulous administration to ensure that the second round of high oil price relief funds, which began accepting applications on May 18, is distributed smoothly, expressing hope that the support would alleviate some of the difficulties caused by the war.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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