Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Friday reiterated his plan to designate December 3 as a day of people's sovereignty, marking the anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed imposition of martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed in a Facebook post on the occasion of the 78th Constitution Day his intention to make December 3 a legal public holiday. This initiative aims to preserve the memory and spirit of the day when ordinary citizens actively resisted the unexpected martial law, ensuring its significance is passed down to future generations.
Lee had previously proposed this idea last year to commemorate the first anniversary of the political crisis ignited by Yoon's martial law declaration. He emphasized that the events of December 3, 2024, served as a stark reminder that threats to democracy are not mere relics of the past but are present realities that could recur in today's Republic of Korea.
Highlighting the resilience of South Korea's democracy, Lee praised the nation for showcasing a "revolution of light" to the world, demonstrating that the spirit of popular sovereignty, as enshrined in the Constitution, is vibrant in the daily lives of the people.
Lee also introduced the "Committee of Light," established earlier this week to honor individuals who have played pivotal roles in upholding the Constitution and democracy. The committee, comprising no more than 35 members, including experts in constitutional law and democracy, will set foundational directions for promoting Korean-style participatory democracy and will issue certificates to those who defended democracy during the martial law crisis.
"We will systematically collect and preserve records of the Light Revolution so that K-democracy can spread widely around the world as a model for democracy," Lee stated, underscoring the importance of documenting and sharing South Korea's democratic journey.
At a citizens' event held at Cheong Wa Dae to commemorate the committee's launch, Lee shared a photo of a certificate of appreciation awarded to participants. He reaffirmed that while the nation's democracy might face challenges, it will not falter.
In his closing remarks, the president stressed the imperative of safeguarding democracy and sovereignty, warning against any attempts to undermine the Constitution's supremacy.