noun
saving the nation and relieving the people
A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) expressing the ideal of rescuing the country from crisis while also alleviating the suffering of its people. Often used in political or historical contexts.
彼は救国済民の志を抱いて政治の道に進んだ。
He entered politics with the aspiration of saving the nation and relieving the people.
救国済民を掲げた改革が行われた。
Reforms were carried out under the banner of saving the nation and relieving the people.
経世済民 (governing the world and relieving the people) is a broader concept of statecraft and public welfare, while 救国済民 specifically emphasizes rescuing the nation from danger.
A yojijukugo composed of 救 (save), 国 (nation), 済 (relieve), and 民 (people). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it reflects classical Chinese-derived ideals of benevolent governance.