President of South Korea Mr. Lee Myung-bak, Prime Minister of South Korea Mr. Kim Hwang-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Park Hee-tae and fellow citizens, we observe today not just a victory for the Puella Magi of the world, but a celebration of moe. And this symbolizes an end of one era, and the dawn of another, signifiying renewal, change and commitment. Tonight, here at the Jamsil Arena in the nation's capital, I have made this declaration before you and my Goddess, Kaname Madoka, that I will continue the prosperity and success that my predecessor Akiyama Mio laid as Moe President of this nation.
The world continues to change: every second, every minute, every hour...in a blink of a eye, a flash of an eyelid. In this country, the Republic of South Korea, Taehan Minguk, the Greater Han Nation...it changes with the times but continues to maintain its roots. This year, I have had the honor of enjoying the pleasures of being in a country as richly diverse and blessed with as boundless a spirit as South Korea.
I have spoken with Touwa Erio earlier this evening. She is one of the nicest, if eclectic, individuals I have encountered. I thank her for a great race, and I look forward to working with her and the members of the Moe National Assembly in the coming months ahead.
I have also spoken to Mikoto Misaka, who I lost in the first round of the 2channel Anime Saimoe Tournament in Japan. After she congratulated me, I said over the phone three simple words: "Now we're even." I expect to face Mikoto in the International Saimoe League of which she is the current defending champion because I want to test myself against the world's best, and I look forward to the challenge next year.
Now I will let you know that I have so many people to thank for being with me during this journey.
To the love of my life who stands with me today, Madoka...you have been my reason for living. Without my desire to save you many, many times, I would not have been saved in return, and I would not be standing here. You have meant so much to me, and I dedicated this successful campaign to you. I will promise to take care of, and cherish, this wonderful country as its Moe President. And a millenium may pass, and this world will still know that you are my lover, my wife, eternally. Watch over me and watch over this land that gives its thanks to you and worships you as one of its own.
To Tomoe Mami, the Moe Prime Minister-elect of Japan...you have established yourself as one of the greatest mentors I have had the pleasure of having. The skills, the confidence, and the trust I have in those I am surrounded by are a result of your companionship and belief in me. I owe this victory to you.
To Miki Sayaka, you are a fighter that has been on my side for so long. At long last, one of your compatriots is now the Moe President of South Korea, and the citizens of this proud nation extend their goodwill and salute your courage and stewardship.
To Sakura Kyouko, you are a fearless warrior that never gave up until the very end. Your quarterfinal defeat was never in vain, and neither was that of Madoka's nor Mami's in the third round. Your tenacity and faith has been rewarded, and this victory will surely motivate you to perform at your best from this point forward. Raise your head high and be proud.
To Kyubey, you were despised at first as a beast who chose to push his own selfish agenda in front of those whose wills are weak. As your Moe President of South Korea, I extend my first official pardon to you, for you are now a familiar and an ally to me, and will be such for many days, weeks and months to come.
To my parents, who aren't with me: I know you are out there, watching, so thank you for helping me become who I am today.
However, there is one group I especially want to thank.
To you, the voters: thank you for your support of our cause and our message. We have suffered through false starts and weeks and rounds of voting, and in the end, you chose me to be your leader. I will assure you that I will do my job to the best of my ability because I understand your situation and I sympathize with it.
You all know, as much as I do, that this country remains at war with its northern neighbors over so much. Though I am Japanese, I uphold a firm belief that as your Moe President, it is your duty to push for increased dialogue with the North, the first steps towards a united Korea. We are one peninsula, one nation. But years of backwards thinking and idealistic differences have halted the progress between both states, and so it will be up to us to heal these divides that have corrupted our progress. It will be up to us to deny the obvious and uphold the inane.
Let the states of the world understand, be for better or for worse, that South Korea will pay any price, face any hardship, support any all and oppose any enemy in order to ensure its existence for centuries to come.
This is our vow. But it is more than that.
To all of our Asian neighbors aside from the North, including China, my native country of Japan, we ask for your loyalty and solidarity in the name of all things moe. For being divisive instead of being in agreement is not in the best interests of my country, or yours, or the world's.
To those voters who have just heard of the Anizone Best Moe Tournament and have cast their vote over this two-day period...thank you and welcome to our of the world's most popular anime character competitions. It is not just South Korea that participates in this tournament. The world may do so at their own choosing...so long as they have a legit Anizone account and log on to the site.
To those voters whom I have yet to successfully reach out...I may not have won your vote this year, but I ask for your support of the choices that I will make to make your livelihoods better. If I have at least placed a smile on your face, then I am taking the first steps towards establishing a new, more moe Korea.
To the peoples of the other continents: Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia...I extent my greetings and the goodwill of Japan and Korea to you. I understand that I have a strong following in those regions, and I personally thank those who believed in our message then, and believe it now.
To the assemble of sovereign states known as the United Nations, and to the current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon—who is also a citizen of this country—it is in our best interests to renew our pledge of support for the policies it dictates in helping improve the lives of the world's citizens. South Korea is a key player in the global community, and I will make sure that it will stay that way as this country's Moe President.
To the people of Japan, my native homeland...the hate between both Japan and South Korea remains strong, and it is a hate that goes back many decades. As a Moe President of South Korea who claims Japan as her home, improving diplomatic relations between both countries is important to each countries's success. Diplomatic friction must be minimized, and animosities must be cast aside in the name of progress and cooperation.
Finally, to those who do not believe in the moe ideal, and the concepts that unify our society and are enjoyed by all, I welcome you to our community and ask that you reconsider such prejudice. For we as women are meant to be harbingers of peace, not just goddesses of war. The purity in our hearts never wavers and remains constant. If your open your hearts to our message and welcome yourself into our fellowship, it will be a decision you will never regret. And that is a promise.
Indeed, there are people who do not care for the message that Puella Magi Madoka Magica brings. It is a message that encourages people to prepare for the rigors of reality, to compete on the world's stage, and to mature as human beings. I know that there are children who are listening to this message, and I say this to you: enjoy your childhood while you are young. Once you come of age, prepare for the rigors that I am prepared to go through. If you can overcome the challenges that life brings you, you become stronger, more confident to not only survive the day, but to seize it. And when you seize the day, you have achieved the meaning of life: taking the opportunity to be the best in anything you do and loving it.
That was the message Madoka told me when she took off to face Walpurgisnacht. That was the message she told me when she elected to take on her current role. When you face your fears, stare them in the face and laugh at them, you will overcome them, and that is when you shine.
South Korea shines like a star this morning, amidst the December cold, the winds blowing in the distance. It shines more than ever because it has chosen a leader that believes in the hard-working ethic that has defined them for centuries.
From the days of the kingdoms—Goguryeo, Bakje, Silla , Gaya, Taebong and Hubaekje—to the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties, to the days of the Korean Empire and Japanese occupation up until the current division of this peninsula...the hard-working, persevering spirit of the Korean is a sight to behold.
I am in awe of the determination of its nation, as well as the sights and sounds of the many cities that dot it: Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon and Ulsan. I consider myself a lifelong supporter and advocate of Korean customs, theater and dance, music, art, and especially food.
From the ubiquitous plates of kimchi, to the countless bowls of ramyeon, to the sizzling sound that bulgogi makes, to the curious yet uplifting stew of all trades known as budae jjigae, to other dishes such as namul, songpyeon, naengmyeon and jajangmyeon, as well as its flagship liquor of soju...South Korea's cuisine has attracted gormandizers from around the world and has influenced many aspiring and established chefs from across the seas.
This is a wonderful country, a blessed nation that moves into the next decade with its feet on the ground and its hands reaching towards the horizon.
In the months ahead, we will see the return of one of this country's national cultural treasures...Namdaemun. Burned down years, careful work and restoration will allow this phoenix to rise from the ashes. It will take one year for this cultural treasure to return to its former glory, but it will rise. I may not be there to see it, but whoever succeeds me will be declaring her victory from that site next December.
Also this year will be the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. To the athletes of both North and South Korea: it is my hope that you will do your best to represent this peninsula well—not in the name of politics, but in the name of sport and the Olympic Movement.
In February, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II will be celebrating her Diamond Jubilee as the Head of the Commonwealth. To Her Majesty, we are in debt to your countless contributions to our global society and we congratulate you on this historical event that will take place.
Finally, new and improved technologies will drive this nation's progress. The first quad-core smartphones will be made available, ensuring better communication for all citizens, regardless of persuasion. Companies like Samsung and LG are at the forefront of these technological advancements, and we must thank them for their tireless efforts in directing the nation's commerce and improving our collective quality of life.
Yes, the Republic of Korea is a nation on the rise. And as your Moe President, bigger and better things are on the horizon. It is my job to ensure that we continue to progress as a country, but it is up to all of your to do your part in leading the land we love. So with a good conscience, let us all go forth to ask for Madoka's blessing and her help, knowing that here on this earth, Madoka's work must truly be our own. Don't forget: always somewhere, someone is fighting for you. As long as you remember her, you are not alone.
Thank you. May Madoka bless you, and may Madoka bless Korea.
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Akemi Homura
Sixth Moe President of the Republic of Korea
December 3, 2011
Jamsil Arena
Seoul, Republic of Korea
