Lee pledges to build nation of fair opportunities for all, shared prosperity

SEOUL, May 11 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday pledged to build a nation where all people have fair opportunities and share prosperity, reaffirming his commitment to reducing social disparities. Lee made the remarks in a speech commemorating the 1894 Tonghak Peasant Revolution at a ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul, which was read by Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young on his behalf. A horde of peasant farmers who followed Donghak, a Neo-Confucian movement, rose up against the feudal system at the time to demand justice and to protect national sovereignty from Japanese invasion. Lee said his vision for government reflects the spirit of the movement's pursuit of social harmony, adding his administration will do its utmost to build a compassionate society, in which people, as the "genuine owners of the country," enjoy their rightful rights and share in the fruits of growth. "Together with you, I will build a Republic of Korea in which all people enjoy fair opportunities and live prosperously, without any neighbors left behind," the president noted. President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a ceremony in Seoul on May 8, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young (Yonhap) pbr@yna.co.kr(END)