South Korea's political parties joined in pledging Saturday to never forget the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for the country's independence, as the nation marked Liberation Day.
Kim Han-na, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a written briefing that she extends "deep respect and gratitude to the patriots and independence fighters who never let go of the hope for liberation, even in the darkest hours when the nation was taken from us," adding that the party "bows deeply to all who devoted themselves to independence and the defense of the nation."
She said the Korean people had reclaimed "not only their territory, but also their names, their language, their history, their dignity and the right to determine their own destiny," and that "the spirit of liberation lies in passing on to the next generation the nation that our forebears reclaimed with their lives — a freer, more just and more peaceful country."
Kim said it is the party's responsibility "to build a country that stands by those who sacrificed for the nation to the very end, and where the dignity and sovereignty of every citizen is respected," vowing to ensure "that the light our forebears restored shines on into a more brilliant future for Korea."
Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that Liberation Day "is more than simply the day the nation was reclaimed," calling it "the day Korea recovered the freedom and sovereignty to determine its own destiny, and the starting point that made it possible to write a new history."
Park said the country "must once again remind itself that today's freedom and prosperity did not come easily," adding that "it was the sweat and devotion of a people who rose from the ruins of war, built upon the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for independence, that created the Korea of today."
He said the PPP "will not forget the noble sacrifice of the heroes of independence," pledging to "firmly defend Korea's sovereignty and national interests on the foundation of liberal democracy and a market economy, and to build a strong and prosperous Korea where freedom and creativity thrive."
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a press statement Friday (local time) congratulating Korea on Liberation Day, saying on behalf of the US government that he extends "sincere congratulations to the Korean people as they celebrate this national holiday."
On the bilateral relationship, Rubio said the United States "remains proud to stand with Korea, our indispensable partner, as we continue to work together to expand prosperity and support the extraordinary people-to-people ties that bind our two countries together."
lucky@heraldcorp.com
