President Lee Jae-myung remarked on the 18th, marking the 16th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's passing, that "the path Kim Dae-jung paved is the future Korea must follow," adding, "I will not stop and will proceed straight along that path."
On this day, President Lee delivered a eulogy at the memorial service held at the National Cemetery, through Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon, who read the words, "The life of President Kim Dae-jung was like an indomitable vine blossoming amid harsh trials and a great tree that protected Korea's past, present, and future."
He continued, saying, "The President's words, 'A silent conscience is the ally of evil,' became a compass for protecting democracy and awakened us during historical moments when the sovereignty of the people was shaken," and reflected on the values of democracy, peace, and the people's livelihood left by DJ, stating, "The 'scholarly problem awareness and practical sense of reality' that the President left became our guide in finding a new path to prosperity amid chaos."
He also emphasized Kim Dae-jung's pragmatic leadership, stating, "In the national crisis of the IMF, he laid the foundation for Korea to become an IT powerhouse and prepared the ground for a welfare state and cultural powerhouse. He did not despair even when falling into the valley of death, and despite numerous adversities and failures, he always designed the nation's future one step ahead." He then stated, "In this tumultuous time of crisis, I will find answers from the life of the giant Kim Dae-jung."
President Lee concluded the eulogy, saying, "I will believe in the numerous 'consciences in action' nurtured by Kim Dae-jung and will steadily move toward a 'country where the people are the masters,' a 'country where we live well together,' and a 'country where peace flows like a river.'"