SEOUL — On Friday, the 64th anniversary of the 1960 pro-democracy uprising, President Yoon Suk Yeol paid tribute to the victims who played a crucial role in the event that led to the ouster of South Korea’s first president, Rhee Syng-man.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon visited the April 19th National Cemetery in northern Seoul, where the remains of 186 individuals who died during the uprising are interred. He offered flowers and incense at a monument dedicated to the victims and expressed his commitment to advancing the liberal democracy for which they fought. The uprising was sparked by public outrage over election rigging by the Rhee administration and culminated in widespread protests on April 19, leading to significant casualties and Rhee's resignation after 12 years in power.
According to the presidential office, the visit drew criticism from opposition parties, particularly the minor Rebuilding Korea Party. They accused President Yoon of avoiding a larger memorial ceremony held at the same cemetery earlier in the day, suggesting his actions were secretive and indicative of his reluctance to engage with opposition leaders. The presidential office refuted these claims, clarifying that it is customary for presidents to attend the official ceremony only once during their tenure and to pay private respects in other years, a tradition Yoon adhered to by attending last year’s ceremony.