President Lee Jae-myung announced that Dec. 3 will be designated as “People’s Sovereignty Day” to honor democratic values [1].
The move seeks to institutionalize the memory of the “light revolution” and ensure that future generations remember the threats posed to democracy during the emergency martial law declared on Dec. 3, 2024 [1].
Speaking during a ceremony at the Blue House and via social media on Constitution Day, Lee said the designation is intended to pass the spirit of people's sovereignty, freedom, and democracy to the next generation [1]. He said that the “light revolution” proved to the world that the constitutional spirit of people's sovereignty remains alive [1].
As part of this initiative, the president announced the creation of the “Light Committee” [1]. This body is tasked with the systematic collection and preservation of records detailing the revolution [1]. Lee said the committee will ensure the history of the movement is documented and protected for posterity [1].
The announcement follows a period of significant political volatility. By establishing a formal day of remembrance and a dedicated archival committee, the administration aims to create a permanent warning against the recurrence of authoritarian measures [1].
Lee said he intends to set Dec. 3 as the official date to ensure the meaning and spirit of the event are carried forward [1]. The designation aligns with the administration's broader efforts to reinforce constitutional governance, and public oversight of state power [1].
““12월 3일을 ‘국민주권의 날’로 정해 의미와 정신을 다음 세대까지 잇겠다””
The establishment of People’s Sovereignty Day and the Light Committee represents a formal state effort to codify the events of December 2024 into South Korea's national identity. By transforming a date associated with emergency martial law into a celebration of popular sovereignty, the government is attempting to neutralize the trauma of that period and convert it into a permanent democratic safeguard.
