President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a ceremony at Seoul National Cemetery to mark the 44th anniversary of the assassination of former President Park Chung-hee.

In his commemorative speech on Thursday, Yoon said the former president accomplished the nation's rapid post-war development, dubbed the "Miracle on the Han River," with a conviction that anything can be achieved by just doing it.

He then called for the nation to make a new leap amid complex global crises by upholding Park's spirit and successes.

Following the ceremony, Yoon and the late leader's eldest daughter, former President Park Geun-hye, paid respects at the burial site.

It is the first time a sitting president has attended the annual memorial service for Park since 1980.