President Lee Jae-myung Commemorates 66th Anniversary of March 15 Uprising, Apologizes to Victims

President Lee Jae-myung made history on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as the first sitting South Korean president to attend the ceremony marking the 66th anniversary of the March 15 Democratic Uprising. Held at the National 3·15 Democratic Cemetery in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, the event saw President Lee offer a formal apology to the families of those who lost their lives during the uprising and pledged continued efforts to honor the movement’s legacy.

A Historic First for Presidential Recognition

Since being designated a national commemoration day in 2010, with government-sponsored ceremonies beginning in 2011, the March 15 Uprising had not previously been attended by a sitting president. Financial News reports that prior to this, President Kim Dae-jung attended the 40th anniversary event in 2000.

Acknowledging the Past, Honoring Sacrifice

President Lee expressed his “sincere apology and words of consolation” to the bereaved families, stating, “We will not forget your noble sacrifice.” He also extended “deep respect and gratitude to the persons of merit who did not back down even in the face of great hardship and threats.” The Korea Herald detailed the President and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung bowing in silent tribute before the ceremony.

The Significance of the March 15 Uprising

The March 15 Uprising began in Masan (now part of Changwon) in 1960, sparked by protests against election fraud during the presidential election under then-President Rhee Syng-man. These demonstrations escalated nationwide, ultimately contributing to the April 19 Revolution the following month and Rhee’s eventual removal from office. Yonhap News Agency highlights the uprising as Korea’s first bloody democratization movement, resulting in numerous casualties due to police intervention.

Commitment to Future Recognition and Compensation

President Lee announced the government’s commitment to identifying additional activists who participated in the 1960 democracy movement, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation and recognition. He pledged to continue efforts to honor and preserve the historical record of the March 15 Democracy Movement and the April 19 Revolution. Yonhap News Agency reported that this will include awards, preservation of historical records and proper recognition of those involved.

Connecting Past Struggles to Present Resilience

President Lee drew parallels between the struggles of the past and recent challenges, referencing the events of December 3, 2024, as another instance of popular sovereignty overcoming attempts at authoritarianism. He stated that both “March 15, 1960” and “December 3, 2024” would be remembered as pivotal moments where the power of the people prevailed. The Korea Herald quoted the President saying, “The power to complete democracy comes not from the laws and systems themselves, but from the sovereign’s earnest aspirations and actions.”