Lee Jae-myung "I bow my head with respect and gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation and its liberation"

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung left a memorial address on the occasion of the 66th Memorial Day.

On the 6th, Governor Lee Jae-myung posted on SNS, "On this 66th Memorial Day, I bow my head with respect and gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation and its liberation," and added, "I also extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who spend each day in longing."

The governor said, "Special sacrifice must be followed by special compensation," and stated, "Guaranteeing appropriate compensation and proper treatment befitting those who have sacrificed for the nation and community is a duty we must fulfill."

He continued, "Gyeonggi Province will do its best to further brighten the nation that the patriots and fallen soldiers have protected with their lives. We will do our utmost to honor all those who carry on the spirit of the patriots, so that their hearts shine even brighter. Gyeonggi Province will take the lead in building a world where everyone lives together in harmony—such a happy nation."

The following is the full text of Governor Lee Jae-myung's SNS post.

On this 66th Memorial Day,
I bow my head with respect and gratitude
to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation
and its liberation.
I extend my deepest condolences
to the bereaved families who spend each day in longing.
Respected people of Gyeonggi Province,
National heroes and bereaved families,
We establish and commemorate Memorial Day each year
to inherit and honor
the will of those who sacrificed for the nation and community.
Because there were our ancestors who fought,
shedding blood and sweat to reclaim our country
lost to foreign powers,
the Republic of Korea exists today.
Because there were those who sacrificed themselves
to protect our nation,
we are able to enjoy peaceful daily lives today.
Today's Republic of Korea
was built upon the dedication and sacrifice of countless people
and has continuously developed on that foundation.
A nation that once experienced the pain of losing its country
and was reduced to ruins by war
has now grown into an economic powerhouse
ranked among the top ten in the world.
It has stood as a model democracy
admired by people around the world
and has become a cultural power
showcasing its proud cultural capabilities to the world.
Today's achievements
could never have been accomplished
without those who sacrificed for the nation and community.
Respected people of Gyeonggi Province,
National heroes and bereaved families,
Special sacrifice must be followed by special compensation.
Guaranteeing appropriate compensation and proper treatment
befitting those who have sacrificed for the nation and community
is a duty we must fulfill.
Gyeonggi Province is doing its utmost
to fulfill that responsibility.
We are honoring eight independence activists
residing in Gyeonggi Province
in return for their dedication.
We are carefully ensuring that those
who contributed to independence
are able to spend their later years in good health.
We are supporting national heroes
so they need not worry about living expenses or meals,
and we are treating them with utmost care
until their final moments.
We are also rewarding
those veterans who dedicated themselves to the nation
with veteran honor allowances.
We are providing special compensation
to recognize the righteous acts of medical personnel
who sacrificed to save others' lives.
Respected 13.8 million people of Gyeonggi Province,
The spirit of sacrifice for the nation and its liberation
left by the patriots continues to manifest
in various aspects of daily life today.
Firefighters working hard at disaster sites
and police officers working in the field at crime scenes,
soldiers standing guard through the night to protect our nation
are dedicating themselves to the country.
Amid the global COVID-19 crisis,
there are medical professionals and public officials
who dedicate themselves to protecting the health and safety
of our people.
There are citizens doing their utmost for each other's safety
while following quarantine guidelines.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude
to all those who are doing their best in their respective roles
for their neighbors and nation.
Gyeonggi Province will do its utmost
to further brighten the nation
that the patriots and fallen soldiers
have protected with their lives.
We will do our utmost to honor
all those who carry on the spirit of the patriots,
so that their hearts shine even brighter.
We will build the nation we dream of,
a fair world full of hope.
In creating a world where everyone lives together in harmony,
such a happy nation,
Gyeonggi Province will take the lead.
Thank you.
June 6, 2021
Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung