Yoon warns against 'swindlers' who toy with democracy

President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that the "freedom and democracy" fought for by martyrs of the April Revolution of 1960 must never be toyed with by "swindlers" in an address Tuesday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol pays his respects to the martyrs of a mass pro-democracy uprising in 1960, which eventually overthrew then-President Syngman Rhee at the April 19th National Cemetery in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul on Tuesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that the "freedom and democracy" fought for by martyrs of the April Revolution of 1960 must never be toyed with by "swindlers" in an address Tuesday.

"We have seen cases in many parts of the world where forces that threaten democracy with false incitement and fabrications take the side of dictatorship and totalitarianism, while outwardly pretending to be democratic and human rights activists," Yoon said in his address at a ceremony commemorating the historic pro-democracy mass movement at the April 19th National Cemetery in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul. "Never be fooled by these lies and disguises."

The pro-democracy uprising on April 19, 1960 was a student-led movement protesting against Korea's first president Syngman Rhee's increasingly authoritarian rule. The mass demonstrations against widespread vote-rigging in March's presidential election by then-President Rhee eventually resulted in his resignation on April 26, 1960.

The cemetery was established to commemorate the 224 activists who lost their lives during the mass protests.

"Freedom and democracy, which the martyrs of the April 19 Revolution defended with their blood, must never be played by swindlers," said Yoon.

He noted that democracy could be challenged by dictatorships, violence and bribery, and that "propaganda, fake news, blackmail and violent incitements" across the world are "threatening the democratic decision-making process which should be based on truth and free public opinion."

"Even if dictatorships and totalitarian regimes use the name of democracy, this is a pseudo-democracy," said Yoon.

The ceremony was attended by some 1,500 people, including senior government officials, bereaved families, National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, lawmakers and students.

Yoon stressed that the "spirit of the April 19 Revolution became the spirit of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea," noting that through the sacrifices of students and young civilians, Korea was able to "lay the cornerstone of democracy to protect freedom."

For the first time, the government conducted on-site investigations to determine more people who participated in the April 19 Revolution, including examining school records in areas where the protests unfolded.

The government awarded 31 people who made verified contributions to the revolution.

Yoon awarded the National Foundation Medal to five individuals during the ceremony for their services in founding the country.

This marks the first time in 16 years that the president attended the April Revolution commemoration ceremony, according to the presidential office in a statement.

Yoon also attended an April Revolution ceremony as a president-elect last year.

Ahead of the ceremony, Yoon paid respects to those enshrined at the April 19th National Cemetery.

Yoon notably shook hands with Democratic Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung at the ceremony, their first reunion since another event marking the March 1 Independence Movement.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]