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Lee pledges to continue late President Roh's legacy of fairness, inclusion at memorial ceremony

Published: 23 May. 2026, 15:46 Updated: 23 May. 2026, 16:29

SEO JI-EUN
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President Lee Jae Myung, second from left, observes a moment of silence at a memorial ceremony marking the 17th anniversary of the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun in the rural village of Bongha, Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, on May 23. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday vowed to continue the legacy of late former President Roh Moo-hyun by building a nation founded on fairness, inclusion and respect for human dignity.

"After you left, so many 'Roh Moo-hyuns' were born, and I am one of them," Lee said in his eulogy delivered at a ceremony marking the 17th anniversary of Roh's death held in the rural village of Bongha in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, where the late president lived after his retirement.

"As president, I feel the immense responsibility and weight that comes with the position. I will carry on your legacy," Lee said.

Lee pledged to realize Roh's vision of a society where success is possible without privilege, hard work is fairly rewarded, people embrace one another regardless of background, and balanced development allows both the capital region and the rest of the country to prosper together.

"I will press ahead with reform to root out rule-breaking and privilege, undeterred by resistance from the established order," he said, adding, "This government will bring to fruition the dreams you left unfulfilled."

On North Korea, Lee said he will uphold the spirit of the Oct. 4 Inter-Korean Declaration signed by Roh and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of current North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The declaration aimed to improve inter-Korean relations and reduce military tensions.

"We will firmly walk on the path toward peaceful coexistence and mutual growth," he said.

Roh, a liberal politician who ran the country from 2003 to 2008, leaped to his death from a cliff behind his retirement home in 2007 amid a corruption investigation involving his family and aides.

Lee attended the same memorial event last year as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.

Yonhap