July 17 (Asia Today) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that the government will designate Dec. 3 as People’s Sovereignty Day to commemorate citizens who resisted the 2024 martial law declaration and preserve the country’s democratic values.

Lee made the announcement during a citizen event marking the launch of the presidential Light Committee at Cheong Wa Dae on Constitution Day.

“The government of popular sovereignty will firmly uphold the most basic and fundamental principle that the people are the owners of the country,” Lee said.

He said South Korea must ensure that democracy and popular sovereignty are never threatened again.

“No one should attempt to stand above the Constitution,” Lee said.

The presidential Light Committee was established in March to promote projects preserving the spirit of citizens who opposed the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law declaration. The committee officially launched Monday.

Park Mi-kyung, chairwoman of the Gwangju Federation for Environmental Movement, was appointed to lead the committee.

Lee recalled the citizens who rushed to the National Assembly after martial law was declared, remained outside the legislature for several nights over concerns that martial law could be imposed again and participated in outdoor demonstrations calling for the president’s impeachment during the winter.

“The great people of our country chose solidarity over division, peace over violence and action over silence,” Lee said.

“They clearly demonstrated that South Korean democracy may be shaken, but it will never collapse.”

Lee said the committee will preserve and document what his administration calls the “Revolution of Light,” referring to the public movement opposing martial law.

“Through the Light Committee launched Monday, we will remember and record this great history for generations,” Lee said.

He said the government will designate Dec. 3 as People’s Sovereignty Day so citizens can remember the events together each year.

“This will allow the values of democracy to be fully passed down to future generations forever,” Lee said.

The president also announced plans to systematically collect and preserve records related to the public opposition to martial law.

The government will develop a digital archive to document citizen participation and promote South Korea’s democratic experience internationally, he said.

Lee described the country’s model of citizen-led democracy as “K-democracy.”

“I hope the brilliant lights of many colors that our citizens raised in the streets and public squares will become a bright beacon illuminating democracy around the world, beyond South Korea,” Lee said.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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