Park, who took office on Feb. 25, said that while the country has overcome many challenges in the drive to become an industrialized and democratic country, it is presently facing new obstacles due to lingering divisiveness between, regions, and people of different social classes and generations.

   "It is time to change the economic paradigm from that of one oriented toward quantitative growth to qualitative growth and to expand democracy from the social and political sphere to the realm of the economy," she said, emphasizing her campaign pledge to bring about economic democracy that can curtail the power of large conglomerates and foster growth of small and medium enterprises.

   The president then said she felt the loss and sorrow felt by relatives of people killed during the Gwangju democracy movement and pledged to use the spirit of the movement to transform the country into a country that people can feel proud of.

   Besides Park, senior government officials, political figures, related organizations and civic groups were present at the event that started at 10 a.m.

   Meanwhile, the annual ceremony that started with the laying of flowers, burning of incense and artistic performances was marred by some local groups boycotting the official gathering because the government rejected plans for participants to sing the "March for Thee" song in unison. It also lasted 25 minutes, much shorter than the 50 minutes allocated to the main ceremony in the past.

   Liberal groups and those who represent victims of the pro-democracy movement had asked Seoul to include the singing of the song as part of the official program, but the proposal was rejected by the Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ministry. In a compromise, the song was sung by a choir, with those who wished to sing along allowed to do so freely.

   President Park had stood while the choir sang the symbolic song and held the national flag, although she did not sing along as many others did, including ruling Saenuri Party chairman Hwang Woo-yea, main opposition Democratic Party leader Kim Han-gil and independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo.

   As a sign of protest, about 100 people who wanted "March to Thee" sung in unison as part of the official ceremony had staged a sit-in overnight at the Gate of Democracy, the main gate at the cemetery, and sang the song.

   The song was composed in memory of the protesters and the brutal suppression they endured, and its lyrics were viewed by conservatives as being provocative. The song is sung at almost all protests organized by progressive groups and labor unions.

   Another 500 liberals from the Unified Progressive Party, Progressive Justice Party, Korea Confederation of Trade Unions and student unions gathered elsewhere in Gwangju to show their anger at the government's stance on the song. (Yonhap News)