Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Friday received letters of appointment from 80 selected individuals in a symbolic ceremony marking his election victory, pledging to carry out their mandates for a better country. The special event, dubbed the "People's Mandate Ceremony," was held on the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, as Lee took office without a formal inauguration ceremony after winning the June 3 presidential election triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid in December.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ceremony took place at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul. President Lee expressed his pride and sense of responsibility, stating, "On this 80th Liberation Day -- a day when we have reclaimed the light of sovereignty once taken from us -- I stand here with boundless pride and an equally deep sense of responsibility, receiving the people's mandate filled with the people's earnest wishes." He emphasized a shared goal to build a better nation where people live in happiness, filled with hope and possibility.
Lee highlighted South Korea's transformation into the world's 10th-largest economy, crediting the contributions of those who defended the nation's independence and those who laid the foundations for modernization. During the ceremony, 80 selected individuals, including those who achieved global success in various fields over the past 80 years, delivered letters of appointment outlining their mandates for Lee's five-year presidency.
Among the participants were descendants of independence fighters, individuals with unique historical backgrounds, and notable figures such as trauma surgeon Lee Cook-jong, Go master Lee Se-dol, and football coach Park Hang-seo. Political and business leaders also attended, including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong.
Former conservative Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak did not attend due to health reasons, while former President Yoon was not invited due to his ongoing custody over a martial law probe.