President Lee Jae Myung will address the nation this week, highlighting public resilience during last year’s brief martial law.
Seoul
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will deliver a special national address later this week to commemorate the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief martial law declaration, the presidential office announced on Sunday. The speech, scheduled for Wednesday, will emphasize the decisive role citizens played in restoring democratic order during the unexpected political upheaval.
Presidential Secretary for Communication and Public Relations, Lee Kyu-yeon, said the address will celebrate the people’s efforts in transforming a moment of extreme chaos into peace through widespread public rallies. Following the speech, President Lee will participate in a press conference with around 80 foreign journalists under the theme A Renewed Democracy: One Year On, Yonhap News Agency reported.
According to the secretary, President Lee will use the opportunity to reaffirm South Korea’s democratic restoration before the international community and deliver a message centered on national unity and political healing.
In addition to the formal address, Lee will host a luncheon with leaders representing the three branches of government — National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, Constitutional Court Chief Kim Sang-hwan, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, and National Election Commission Chair Roh Tae-ak. The gathering will reflect on the historical significance of last year’s martial law and outline long-term democratic priorities. The martial law crisis erupted on the night of December 3 last year when former President Yoon declared emergency rule in a televised address, alleging that the opposition was obstructing state functions and that drastic measures were required to counter pro-North Korea elements and protect the constitutional system. The declaration triggered an immediate public response.