On March 1, President Yoon Suk-yeol said, “Now, a century after the March First Independence Movement, Japan has transformed from a militaristic aggressor of the past into a partner that shares the same universal values with us. Today Korea and Japan cooperate on issues of security and economy. We also work together to cope with global challenges.”

In his speech commemorating the 104th anniversary of the March First Independence Movement at the Memorial Hall of Yu Gwan-sun in Jung-gu, Seoul Wednesday, President Yoon also said, “In particular, the trilateral cooperation among the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan has become more important than ever to overcome the security crisis including North Korea’s growing nuclear threats and global polycrisis.” The president defined Japan as a partner in overcoming the security risks including North Korea’s nuclear threat.

He went on to state, “We must stand in solidarity with countries that share universal values in order to contribute to promoting the freedom of global citizens and the common prosperity of all humankind,” and claimed, “This spirit of solidarity and cooperation is the same spirit that called for our nation’s freedom and independence 104 years ago.” He seemed to suggest that cooperation with Japan, which shares our universal values, corresponds with the spirit of the March First Independence Movement.

However, President Yoon did not present any explanation on the government’s efforts to improve South Korea’s relations with Japan. He also failed to mention the need for Japan to change and reflect on its past, a precondition to improve ties.

In his speech, the president said, “Today, 104 years later, we must look back to that time when we lost our national sovereignty; the time when our people suffered because we failed to properly prepare for a changing world.” He continued and said, “We must gather our wisdom to seek ways to overcome the crises facing us: global polycrisis; North Korea’s nuclear threats and severe security environment; an increasingly fragmented and polarized society.” He then warned, “If we fail to read the changing trends of world history and do not properly prepare for the future, it is evident that the misfortunes of the past will be repeated.”

The president also said, “The prosperity that we enjoy today is the result of our ceaseless efforts to defend and expand our freedom as well as our enduring belief in universal values,” and added, “We must never stop making such effort. It is the right way to honor the patriotic martyrs who sacrificed and dedicated themselves to the freedom and independence of our country.”

The latest speech was President Yoon’s first speech as president commemorating the March First Independence Movement. The speech was about 1,300 letters long and lasted about five minutes and twenty seconds. It was significantly shorter than the first presidential speeches commemorating the Independence Movement by previous presidents and was only about a third long as President Yoon’s speech celebrating National Liberation Day on August 15 (3,620 letters).

Kim Eui-kyeom, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, spoke on the partnership with Japan and said, “It is only possible when Japan sincerely apologizes and accepts responsibility.” He further said, “It was a speech lacking sincerity and attention.” As for the president’s interpretation that national sovereignty was lost because Korea failed to properly prepare for changes in world history, Kim said, “He seemed to be blaming us for Japan’s aggression,” and criticized, “It was a reasoning that justified colonial rule.”

Kim Hee-seo, senior spokesperson for the Justice Party said, “The citizens could not help but question their eyes and ears as they watched the president of the Republic of Korea denounce our people and distort history.” Kim further criticized, “It was the worst presidential speech in history that overturned the spirit of the March First Independence Movement and insulted our citizens.”

Over 1,300 people including patriots, the bereaved families of people who contributed to national independence, ruling and opposition leaders, and figures representing all fields of society attended the ceremony commemorating the March First Movement Wednesday. First lady Kim Keon-hee was also present. After the ceremony, President Yoon shook hands with the leading members of the ruling and opposition parties including Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.