5·18 3 Organizations "We Will Restore Citizens' Trust Through Self-Reflection and Introspection"

Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "May 18th to Be a New Beginning"

Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop attended the 'May-related Organization Representatives Meeting' held on the morning of the 19th in the small conference room on the 3rd floor of City Hall. After declaring a joint resolution, a commemorative photo was taken. From the left, Kim Young-hoon, President of the 5·18 Democratic Merit Association; Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju; Kim Yi-jong, President of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Association; Moon Heung-sik, President of the 5·18 Detained Injured Association. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The three May 18 organizations, the 5·18 Democratic Merit Bereaved Families Association, the 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Association, and the 5·18 Detained Injured Association, jointly issued a resolution at a meeting held on the 19th in the small conference room of Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall with Gwangju Metropolitan City, the May 18 Memorial Foundation, and the May Mothers' House.

In the resolution, the organizations stated, "The May 18 Democratic Movement is a proud history in which all citizens of Gwangju resisted injustice and dictatorship, and it is the pride of Gwangju," adding, "The May 18 Democratic Movement was a righteous uprising by the citizens of Gwangju against illegal public authority that trampled on the lives and fundamental rights of the people, and the protagonists were all the citizens of Gwangju."

They continued, "The main agents of all commemorative projects related to the May 18 Democratic Movement are also the citizens of Gwangju," and proposed, "We hope that Gwangju Metropolitan City will consider various ways to enhance citizen participation in the planning and implementation processes so that citizens can actively participate in the commemorative projects."

They also said, "The May 18 organizations have led fierce struggles to realize democracy through uncovering the truth of the May 18 Democratic Movement and punishing those responsible, but it is also true that many organizations were created indiscriminately around compensation, and some of these organizations caused much jealousy and concern among the citizens of Gwangju and the public."

The organizations pledged, "Now, the May 18 organizations will be completely reborn and will make every effort to restore legality and morality," promising, "We will continue self-purification efforts until the moment we can receive genuine respect from the citizens of Gwangju."

They further stated, "We will also work together on revising the law concerning the treatment of 5·18 Democratic Merit recipients and registering as a public law organization so that members of the May 18 organizations can maintain at least a dignified life."

The organizations declared, "The division and discord among the May 18 organizations will no longer be repeated," and added, "To this end, the three May 18 organizations will form and operate a May 18 Organizations Council to mutually uphold morality and legality."

They also expressed, "Despite various discord among the May 18 organizations, we sincerely thank all the citizens of Gwangju and the public who have watched over and supported us for the past 40 years," and reiterated, "On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, the May 18 organizations will be reborn as mature entities and create a new opportunity for reflection and unity."

In response, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju, said, "I send warm applause and thanks for the May 18 three organizations expressing their determination to be reborn through self-purification and reflection until they are trusted by the citizens," and urged, "Now, please take the lead in sublimating May 18 from the past to the future, from Gwangju's May 18 to the world's May 18, and from May 18 of resentment and anger to May 18 of victory and celebration."

He added, "I sincerely hope that today's resolution by the May organizations will not be a one-time event but will become an opportunity to be completely reborn along with the history of the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement."