No mention of North Korea in South Korean President Lee's Memorial Day speech
South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, has signaled a shift from his predecessor by not mentioning North Korea during a ceremony to honor the war dead.
Lee delivered a speech to mark Memorial Day at Seoul National Cemetery on Friday. Soldiers who died during the Korean War were among those remembered.
Lee said building a peaceful nation free from the worry of war is the most responsible way to respond to the noble sacrifice and dedication of the war dead.
He said, "Let us repay them by building a nation where democracy and prosperity flourish on the foundation of robust peace -- a nation filled with pride and dignity."
There was no reference to North Korea, unlike Lee's predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol, who condemned Pyongyang's provocative acts and called for stronger security arrangements in his Memorial Day speeches.
Lee said upon his inauguration on Wednesday that he would open a communication channel with Pyongyang and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation.
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