S. Korea celebrates 80th anniversary of liberation from colonial rule

Today, August 15th, marks the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

A commemorative ceremony was held this morning in Seoul, where President Lee Jae Myung delivered his first Liberation Day address since taking office.

For more, let's go live to our Presidential Office correspondent Song Yoo-jin.

Yoo-jin, tell us more!

Eun-ji, the ceremony wrapped up about half an hour ago at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, right next to where I'm at in Gwanghwamun Square.

Some 2,500 people attended, including President Lee, first lady Kim Hea Kyung, and the families of independence activists.

As this was President Lee's first Liberation Day in office, all eyes were on his speech.

Like his predecessors, he used the occasion to honor independence fighters while also laying out messages for North Korea and Japan.

On North Korea, President Lee reaffirmed his commitment to resuming peaceful dialogue.

"To prevent accidental clashes and build military trust between the two Koreas, we will proactively and gradually restore the September 19th Military Agreement.

On this 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, I believe it is the right time to end an era of confrontation and hostility and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula."

He also stressed that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula must be achieved through both international cooperation and direct talks with Pyongyang, and also between North Korea and the United States.

Turning to Japan, where a summit is set for next week, the President reiterated his "two-track" policy of separating historical disputes from cooperation.

Take a listen.

"I will pursue future-oriented cooperation with Japan through frequent summit-level talks and frank dialogue.

I expect the Japanese government to face up to the painful history of the past and work to ensure that trust between our two countries is not undermined."

The Liberation Day ceremony has ended, but President Lee's schedule isn't over yet, right?

That's correct.

The highlight of the day will come tonight at Gwanghwamun Square, where the government is holding what it calls a "people's appointment ceremony."

You could think of it as his de facto inauguration, since he began his term in June without a formal ceremony after the snap election.

Later this evening, he will receive symbolic letters of appointment from selected members of the public on a stage to be set up here, followed by a thank-you address.

Before that, President Lee is set to host a dinner with foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan reception hall.

That's all I have for now.

Back to you, Eun-ji.

That was our Song Yoo-jin live from Gwanghwamun Square.

Thank you.