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Speaker urges “national unity” at 105th anniv. of the Provisional Legislative Assembly opening
- May 01, 2024
- 34
Speaker Kim Jin-pyo urges “national unity”
at 105th anniversary commemoration ceremony
of the opening of the Provisional Legislative Assembly
- Speaker urges national unity as ultimate goal of politics and creating a parliament that embodies parliamentary democracy
Speaker of the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo attended the 105th anniversary commemoration of the opening of the Provisional Legislative Assembly, held on March 12 at the National Assembly’s main building. In marking the 105th anniversary of the launch of the Provisional Legislative Assembly, the origin of the National Assembly and the Provisional Government, he underscored that the ultimate goal of politics is “national unity.”
In his speech, Speaker Kim said, “The Provisional Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Korea bears the historical significance of heralding ‘the commencement of a country whose people are its masters,’ as the first legislative body to provide procedural and legal legitimacy for the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea.”
Referring to the wall of the central hall adorned with the complete text of the Provisional Constitution and photos of the Assembly’s inaugural members, installed with the consent of the ruling and opposing parties, he added, “The independence activists who participated in the Provisional Legislative Assembly believed that national unity was the only way to advance the country’s liberation. They worked to unify the left and right factions of the independence movement, and as a result, the Provisional Legislative Assembly was able to establish a unified National Assembly with the participation of both parties.”
Speaker Kim concluded his speech by appealing, “I earnestly hope that the new members of the 22nd National Assembly, which is embarking on a new beginning, will pursue national unity as the highest goal of politics and forge a National Assembly where parliamentary democracy flourishes.”
During the event, held under the banner “The Beginnings of a Nation Whose People Are Its Masters,” Speaker Kim presented commemorative plaques to Sohn Jung-do, Speaker of the 2nd Provisional Assembly (received by his grandson Sohn Myung-won); and to Kim In-jeon, Speaker of the 4th Provisional Assembly, who laid the foundation of the National Assembly and dedicated himself to Korea's independence (received by his granddaughter Choi Hye-kyung).
The beginning of a country whose people are its masters:
the precious first step of parliamentary democracy in the Republic of Korea
Good morning, everyone. I am Kim Jin-pyo, the Speaker of the National Assembly.
It is my sincere pleasure and honor to welcome you to this ceremony commemorating the 105th anniversary of the launch of the Provisional Legislative Assembly, here at the central hall of the National Assembly’s main building.
I would like to express my gratitude to the descendants and the bereaved of the Provisional Legislative Assembly members and independence activists, who have joined us today. I also wish to sincerely thank Chairman of the Constitutional Assembly Chung Dae-chul, Chairman of the Heritage of Korean Independence Lee Jong-chan, and other National Assembly members and all of our distinguished guests. I would like to extend a special thanks to the Provisional Assembly’s 2nd Speaker Sohn Jung-do’s grandson, Sohn Myung-won, and its 4th Speaker Kim In-jeon’s granddaughter, Choi Hye-kyung, for their attendance today.
On March 1, 1919, our ancestors declared to the world that Korea is an independent country and Koreans are the owners of this nation. It was a historic moment that symbolizes the indomitable spirit of independence cherished in the hearts of our people. The pioneers embraced the spirit of the March 1 Independence Movement and established the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. The first legislative body to provide procedural and legal legitimacy for the Provisional Government was the Provisional Legislative Assembly.
The country’s official name was decided upon as the “Republic of Korea” at the inaugural meeting of the Provisional Legislative Assembly, held in Shanghai, far from Korea. It signaled a new direction for the nation as it transitioned from an “empire ruled by an emperor” to a “nation ruled by its people.” The first Constitution, known as the “Provisional Constitution of the Republic of Korea,” was enacted, declaring in Article 1 that “the Republic of Korea shall be a democratic republic.”
The Provisional Legislative Assembly transformed “the subjects of an empire into the owners of a republic,” and bears the historic significance of heralding “the commencement of a country whose people are its masters.”
Distinguished guests!
The Provisional Legislative Assembly served as the legislative body of the Republic of Korea from its launch on April 10, 1919, until national liberation in August of 1945. The National Assembly’s current operating system originates from the Provisional Legislative Assembly, which is why the National Assembly shall honor the spirit of the Provisional Legislative Assembly. The wall of the central hall where today’s ceremony takes place is adorned with the full text of the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of Korea and photos of photos of inaugural members of the Provisional Legislative Assembly, installed with the consent of the ruling and opposing parties to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Provisional Legislative Assembly in 2019.
Article 2 of the Provisional Constitution stipulates that “the Republic of Korea shall be governed by the Provisional Government in accordance with the resolutions of the Provisional Legislative Assembly.” Our ancestors dreamed of a nation governed not through absolute power but through the assembly in harmony, where checks and balances, and dialogue and compromise operate. I believe it marked the precious first step of parliamentary democracy in the Republic of Korea.
Independence activists who participated in the Provisional Legislative Assembly, including the first Speaker, Yi Dong-nyeong, and Hong Jin, who has an exhibition hall dedicated to him at the National Assembly Library, believed that national unity was the only way to advance the country’s liberation. They worked to unify the left and right factions of the independence movement, and as a result, the Provisional Legislative Assembly was able to establish a unified National Assembly with the participation of both parties. This attests to their insight and foresight on national unity, which is the ultimate goal of politics.
On May 30, the 21st National Assembly concludes and the 22nd National Assembly begins. I earnestly hope that the new members entering the National Assembly will pursue national unity as the ultimate goal of politics and shape a 22nd National Assembly where parliamentary democracy flourishes.
I would like to wish good health and happiness to everyone who has joined us today for the 105th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Provisional Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Korea under the banner, “The Beginning of a Country Whose People Are Its Masters.”
Thank you for your attention.
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