Delivering remarks at the commemoration, Ban Ki-moon, the 8^th secretary-general of the UN, highlighted the strong resilience of Rwandans over the past 29 years in overcoming the greatest of tragedies, inspiring the rest of the world.

“All nations and people never forget what occurred in the dark days of 1994,” said Ban.

“Gatari, who also just made us very solemn and sad, I wish you the best of courage,” Ban told Gatari, who was carefully listening to his remarks.

Ban also emphasized the importance of “never again,” the UN’s commitment after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and recognized the successful rebirth of Rwanda.

“This tragic event sadly taught us that a government can even get directly involved or fail to protect its civilians from genocide and mass atrocities (can occur) even under the watch of UN peacekeeping operations on the front,” said Ban.

Ban called upon nations to fight for humanity, by ensuring perpetrators still at large are brought to justice.

“Let us never forget, and let us be emphatic and resolute to always declare: Never again,” said Ban.

“Justice will prevail. If not today, tomorrow, if not tomorrow, surely in the future,” Ban added, urging the international community to take lessons from the massacre.

Meanwhile, in sharing the history that led to genocide against the Tutsi and the need to fight hate speech and genocide ideology, Rwandan Ambassador to Korea Yasmin Amri Sued thanked attendees, especially Gatari, who showed the importance of Kwibuka, and the Rwandan and Korean youth who showed up.

She recalled the discrimination that Rwandan people suffered under Belgian colonial rule, which lasted several decades.

Rwanda was a colony of Belgium from 1919 to 1962.

“Korea knows well that colonial regimes rule by destroying national social structures, installing systematic decimation, and instituting national values, beliefs, and culture,” said the ambassador.

The event was attended by a delegation from Rwanda, members of the diplomatic corps, officials from the Korean government, friends of Rwanda, members of the Rwandan community, reporters, professors, Korean students and businesspeople.