President Lee says patriotism will see Korea through economic crisis

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak evoked Monday the spirit of
Korea's independence movement as he expressed his faith that the country will
emerge from the global financial crisis stronger.

Lee made the comments at a ceremony marking the 90th anniversary of the founding
of the country's provision government and called for hope and faith from the
country's citizens.
"Dear citizens, the Republic of Korea is now facing many difficulties amid the
global economic crisis, but the difficulties that faced those who sacrificed
their lives for the country's independence were much greater," Lee said.
The ceremony was held at Baekbeom Square, a memorial park named after the pen
name of Kim Koo, a prominent independence fighter who headed the country's
provisional government from 1940 until the country's liberation at the end of
World War II. Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula from 1910-45.
"Let us get through this difficulty with hope as the patriotic martyrs endured
their difficult times with hope of national liberty," the president said.
Lee has often claimed South Korea will one of the first countries in the world to
overcome the global economic and financial crisis.
"There will be big and small obstacles on our way, but we will lay our road as we
go and will realize our dreams. I am sure of this because I believe in the great
strength of our people that made today's Korea," he said at the ceremony.
Similar ceremonies were also held in China's Shanghai and Chongqing, where the
provisional government was founded in exile to evade influence of the Japanese
colonial government.
The foundation of the provisional government, as well as the country's liberation
from the Japanese rule, is also celebrated by North Korea, but Lee said the Seoul
government is the only legitimate successor, noting the country's official name
Republic of Korea comes directly from the provisional government.
"The provisional government not only gave us the country's name, the Republic of
Korea, but it also gave us the foundation of our nation after its liberation by
providing a framework with which to build a democratic republic," Lee said.
South Korea and the communist North remain divided since their formation shortly
after World War II. They are technically still at war with each other since the
1950-1953 Korean War ended only with an armistice.
The president also pledged "unlimited responsibility" to honor those who gave up
their lives for the country.
"We are only filled with belated regrets, but we today have here the remains of
six patriotic martyrs who wanted nothing but to come back to their motherland,"
he said, also announcing a new establishment that will enshrine the remains of
some 20,000 independence fighters.
"Now, Korea is becoming a rule-maker of international standards from a
rule-taker. It is becoming a country that helps others from one that needs help,"
the president said.
"We must turn today's crisis into an opportunity to build a first-class nation in
the world. That is how we can truly secure the country's independence that those
who gave up their lives wanted so much," he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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