Yang Hyang-ja on Kim Jong-in's 'Kneeling Apology': "If Sincere, Let's Amend the Constitution... Must Include '5.18'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Yang Hyang-ja, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, praised Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, for his 'kneeling apology' and urged that the constitutional preamble include the 'Gwangju 5.18' and 'Daegu 2.28' democratization movements.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Yang said on her Facebook post, "Kim Jong-in knelt before the spirits of Gwangju. This was unimaginable during Hwang Kyo-ahn's leadership," adding, "I applaud the changes in the United Future Party."

She continued, "Since they are changing anyway, let's go further," and emphasized, "Please discuss including both Gwangju 5.18 and Daegu 2.28 in the constitutional preamble at the summit meeting between President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim."

She added, "The United Future Party has changed its policy platform, and the leadership even knelt down, so there is absolutely no reason not to include 5.18 and 2.28 in the constitutional preamble," and said, "I believe Chairman Kim's words asking for forgiveness from the citizens of Gwangju are sincere. I hope he opens the door to constitutional amendment candidly so that future generations can deeply feel that sincerity."

She also stressed, "I earnestly ask Chairman Kim to open the path for the 'Moonlight Alliance' to advance into a constitutional alliance. I believe cooperation and grand compromise can start here."

On the 17th, Yang also welcomed "the changes in the United Future Party (click left)" and urged, "Please adopt the 5.18 Special Act as the party's official stance." She further said, "Since there is now a common denominator in the values of the Democratic Party and the United Future Party, it is time to start discussions on constitutional amendment," and added, "Let's open a forum for grand compromise and cooperation that will also address the restructuring of power. We may be able to present a constitutional amendment proposal before next year's by-elections."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the same day in the morning, Chairman Kim visited the Gwangju 5.18 National Cemetery, knelt down, and apologized sincerely for the controversial remarks about 5.18 made by former United Future Party members and for his past participation in the National Security Emergency Planning Committee (Gukbowi), saying, "I offer my sincere apology."

Prior to Yang, President Moon emphasized in his May 18th speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 5.18 Democratization Movement, "Inscribing the '5.18 Democratization Movement' in the constitutional preamble is to establish 5.18 as a great history of the Republic of Korea that no one can distort or deny."