President Lee Jae Myung, who participated in the 66th-anniversary celebration of the March 15 Uprising in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, on the 15th, stated, “The unshakable historical conviction that no authority can overcome the people united to confront the darkness of the insurrection on the night of December 3, 2024.” As the March 15 Uprising was recognized as a national memorial day in 2010 and official commemorative events have been held since 2011, this is the first time a current president has taken part in the ceremony.
In his initial comments, President Lee said, “I recall the ‘history of popular sovereignty’ that started here in Masan 66 years ago today,” and continued, “I offer my heartfelt apology and sympathy to the families of the victims of the March 15 Uprising who endured significant suffering due to state authority.” He particularly highlighted the contributions of regular citizens, such as a middle school student who aspired to be an economist, a top-performing friend, and a factory worker, expressing sorrow, “They never lived to see March 16, 1960.”
In his commemorative address, President Lee linked the March 15 Uprising of 1960 to the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. He stated, “The strength that solidifies democracy does not stem from laws and systems alone, but from the sincere desires and actions of the sovereign people,” and added, “Just as the residents of Masan faced gunfire, the South Korean people also physically obstructed martial law forces on a cold winter night in 2024.” He concluded, “Like March 15, 1960, December 3, 2024, will be remembered as the day when the people’s sovereignty overcame the desire for eternal rule.”
President Lee promised, “We will locate, respect, and appropriately handle even one additional individual who took part in the March 15 Uprising and the April 19 Revolution.” He also mentioned, “We will confidently advance toward the ‘nation where the people are in charge’ that democratic martyrs and heroes longed for,” and noted, “This is how we can respond to the dedication of our ancestors.”
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