President Lee Jae-myung pledges, "I will follow the path of DJ directly."
On the occasion of the 16th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's passing, President Lee Jae-myung delivered a heartfelt tribute message.
On the 18th, during a memorial ceremony held at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, President Lee expressed a strong determination through a eulogy delivered by Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, stating, "The path that Kim Dae-jung walked first is the future that the Republic of Korea will pursue," and "I will not stop, but will move forward along that path that the president has opened."
He further emphasized, "Whenever I feel tired or want to stop, I will recall the fierce life of the giant."
He continued, "Believing in the countless 'acting consciences' nurtured by Kim Dae-jung, I will unwaveringly move toward a 'country where the people are the masters,' a 'country that lives well together,' and a 'country overflowing with peace like a flowing river.'"
President Lee stated, "The life of President Kim Dae-jung was an indomitable honeysuckle that bloomed through harsh trials and a towering tree that protected the past, present, and future of the Republic of Korea. Because of him, democracy, which had stagnated, began to breathe again, and those with different thoughts extended hands of unity and reconciliation."
Taking the spirit of DJ as a guiding principle
In particular, President Lee quoted former President Kim Dae-jung’s saying, "An unacting conscience is on the side of evil," emphasizing that this saying served as a compass for protecting democracy and stated, "It awakened us at historical moments when the sovereignty of the people was shaken."
He also mentioned that Kim Dae-jung’s pragmatic philosophy, described as "intellectual awareness of problems and a commercial sense of reality," serves as a guide in finding a new path to prosperity amidst the chaos currently facing Korea. He highly evaluated the late President Kim, stating, "He was a great democrat who believed in the strength of the people more than anyone else, and a pragmatic leader who prioritized national interests and people's livelihoods, turning crises into opportunities."
He mentioned, "In the midst of the IMF national crisis, he laid the foundation for Korea to become an IT powerhouse and established the groundwork for a welfare state and a cultural powerhouse. Even when he fell into the valley of death, he never despaired, always planning the country’s future a step ahead, despite numerous adversities and failures," and concluded, "In this tumultuous era of crisis, I will look for answers in the life of the giant, Kim Dae-jung."
This memorial service, held on the 16th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's passing, was not just a ceremonial event, but a glimpse into President Lee Jae-myung's governance philosophy of seeking direction from the spirit of Kim Dae-jung.
Below is the full text of President Lee Jae-myung’s eulogy.
Image source: President Lee Jae-myung / News1. Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik is moving to deliver President Lee's eulogy at the memorial ceremony for the 16th anniversary of President Kim Dae-jung's passing held at the Hall of National Mourning in the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 18th. 2025.8.18 / News1. Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik delivering President Lee Jae-myung's eulogy at the memorial ceremony for the 16th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's passing held at the Hall of National Mourning in the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the 18th. (Joint coverage) 2025.8.18 / News1.
