Lee vows to build nation where state shares responsibility of parents
President Lee Jae Myung addresses a ceremony to mark the 54th Parents' Day at the headquarters of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung vowed Friday to build a nation rokwhere the state shares the responsibility of parents and looks after their well-being in old age.
Lee posted the message on Facebook to mark Parents' Day, saying he learned after becoming a father of two children that a parent "carries the worlds" of their children on his or her back.
President Lee Jae Myung, right, comforts parents of a firefighter killed on duty during a ceremony to mark the 54th Parents' Day at the headquarters of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
"The more we lessen the burdens of life that are placed on parents' shoulders, the more the Republic of Korea can step forward to become a truly advanced nation," he wrote in the message addressed to all parents, referring to Korea by its official name.
"From now on, we will take better care of parents' lives and further expand practical measures to support them," he said. "We will set out to create a 'nation where the people are happy,' which does not lean on parents' one-sided sacrifices but in which the state and community jointly take responsibility (in bringing up children)."
Lee listed his administration's plans to ensure a healthy and active life for senior citizens, including by introducing local community care services, creating 1.15 million jobs for the elderly and revising the pension system.
"Parents who have dedicated themselves their entire lives should be able to enjoy their later lives without worries," he wrote. "Only then can everyone be positive about tomorrow and dream of a better future."
Lee later attended a Parents' Day ceremony at the headquarters of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul and repeated the message of increased government support for senior citizens.
He specially addressed the parents in attendance of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty, saying he will remember their noble sacrifices "with a heavy heart."
Before delivering his remarks, Lee also pinned carnations on the parents' clothing in a show of consolation and respect.