Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said on the 29th, "I will do my best, together with the people, to build Korea into 'the most beautiful country in the world, contributing to humanity's peace and happiness through the power of high culture,' which Baekbeom Kim Gu dreamed of."
Han said this in a congratulatory address at the "150th anniversary of the birth of Baekbeom Kim Gu, a UNESCO commemorative year" ceremony held at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Seoul on the 29th. UNESCO had earlier officially designated the 150th anniversary of Baekbeom's birth as a "UNESCO commemorative year."
Han said, "Reading the sentence, 'The only thing I want without limit is high culture,' I was moved, wondering how such a thought was possible at that time," and added, "That dream is becoming reality today in Korea." She continued, "The power of culture that the teacher so longed for has now become a force connecting hearts around the world beyond Korea," and stressed, "It is the era of K-culture that we are proud of."
Regarding UNESCO's designation of the commemorative year, Han said it is "truly meaningful and a source of pride for all our people," and expressed gratitude to the officials who worked hard.