문 대통령, 3.1절 100주년 앞두고 "전 식민지서 이제 우리 스스로 변화 주도"<br /><br />This friday, Koreans will celebrate the 100th anniversary of a very important historic event that helped the nation break free from Japan's oppressive colonial rule.<br />Ahead of the centennial of the March 1st Independence Movement, President Moon Jae-in emphasized the importance of Korea taking control in deciding the Peninsula's fate.<br />Shin Se-min tells us more. <br />With Korea set to mark the 100th anniversary of the country's March First Independence Movement and the establishment of the provisional government,… President Moon Jae-in highlighted the importance of Korea's leadership in deciding the fate of the country and the Peninsula at large. <br />Taking the weekly Cabinet meeting outside the parameters of a public facility-- to a memorial of an independence fighter,… the president said the country had come a long way since a hundred years ago... when it was under the colonial rule, and unable to decide its own fate.<br />"Today, our status in the international community has completely shifted. We deserve to enjoy the self-respect pride."<br />Emphasizing that the country is only one of seven countries in the world with more than 50-million people and a per capita income of 30-thousand U.S. dollars,… the president said Koreans must take control of its own destiny.<br />He also took pride... that his country is now getting more attention and acknowledgements from around the world... for its role in managing changes on the Korean Peninsula. <br />"We are no longer in the periphery of history. I hope we open up a new era with pride and confidence, that the strength to decide our course for the next 100 years rests within us."<br />Also ahead of the Kim-Trump summit in Vietnam,... President Moon had previously called for preparation on resuming inter-Korean economic cooperation,... something he said was required for Seoul to take control of the fate of the Korean Peninsula.<br />In time for the anniverary of the 100th Independence Movement this week-- the government also conferred the Republic of Korea Medal to Yu Gwan-sun, a female martyr who symbolized the March 1st Independence Movement.<br />It's an upgrade from the third-highest civilian order she had been given before. <br />Shin Se-min, Arirang News.
