On June 10, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok marked the 39th anniversary of the June 10 Democracy Movement, stating, "I will strive to ensure that democracy in the public square takes root in daily life, allowing each citizen to enjoy a better life and paving the way for a bright future for South Korea."
During the ceremony held at the Democracy Movement Memorial Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, Kim referenced President Lee Jae-myung's recent press conference, where he emphasized that the nation can overcome any crisis threatening the lives of its citizens and the future of South Korea through the collective strength of its people.
Kim reflected on the events of June 10, 1987, when citizens rose up against the military dictatorship's long-standing ambitions for power, calling it a "great milestone in South Korean democracy and a valuable victory for the people."
He also recalled the shock and scars left by the sudden imposition of an illegal martial law after 45 years of peace on December 3, 2024, stating, "Our great citizens confronted the martial law troops and, despite the harsh cold, defended the square to complete the revolution of light."
Kim emphasized that the people's desire to protect democracy has been a continuous journey, linking the June 10 Democracy Movement to the April 19 Revolution, the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising, the Gwangju Democratization Movement, and the Candlelight Revolution, which once again safeguarded South Korea from crisis.
He asserted, "The cries from that day 39 years ago have not yet ended. Democracy is the right of all citizens and the most precious asset of South Korea that we must all protect together."
The Prime Minister pledged that the government would deeply engrain the noble spirit and values of solidarity from the June 10 Democracy Movement and lead efforts to create a more mature society.
Kim also noted that the memorial hall is located at the former site of the National Security Agency's torture chamber, where activist Park Jong-cheol was tortured and died. He remarked, "This space, which once oppressed democracy, has been reborn as a memorial hall that informs us of the great journey of democracy."
He promised that the government would restore the torture chamber to its original state to reflect on the painful history of state-sponsored violence and develop it into a space that leads research, education, and the dissemination of democracy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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