SEOUL – President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung on Saturday vowed to carry on late president Roh Moo-hyun's efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula at a memorial ceremony marking the 17th anniversary of Roh's death.

Speaking at the ceremony in Roh's hometown of Bongha Village in Gimhae, southeast of Seoul, Lee said he would "steadfastly walk the path of peaceful coexistence and shared growth," following Roh's efforts to turn "the line of division into a road of peace."

Lee specifically referred to the Oct 4 Inter-Korean joint declaration, which was signed by Roh and then top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong-il in 2007.

The declaration called for advancing inter-Korean relations, easing military tensions and promoting economic cooperation.

The remarks came as Lee's administration has emphasized peaceful coexistence with the DPRK, even while inter-Korean relations remain strained.

In a March speech, Lee said his government respects the DPRK's system and will neither engage in any type of hostile acts nor pursue any form of unification by absorption.

Roh, who served as ROK president from 2003 to 2008, was known for his engagement with the DPRK under his "Peace and Prosperity Policy.”