The 61st Anniversary of the April 11 Democratic Uprising Commemoration and the Memorial Ceremony for Martyr Kim Ju-yeol.
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jucheol In] The 61st anniversary of the April 11 Democratic Uprising commemoration and the memorial ceremony for Martyr Kim Ju-yeol were held on the 11th at Masan Central Pier in Changwon, Gyeongnam, where Kim's body was recovered.
The memorial ceremony was attended by Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province; Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Education; Heo Seong-moo, Mayor of Changwon; Baek Nam-hae, Chairman of the Kim Ju-yeol Memorial Association; and Lee Hak-mo, Chairman of the Namwon Kim Ju-yeol Memorial Association, among others.
This year, under the theme "Myanmar Today is South Korea's Yesterday," a special segment was arranged inviting Jo Woo-mo-a, representative of the Korea-Myanmar Solidarity, to show support for Myanmar's democratization movement.
Governor Kim emphasized, "We must remember and commemorate that the democracy we now take for granted was built with the blood and tears of countless democratic spirits."
He continued, "Just as our predecessors fought for democracy, what kind of historical tasks are given to us living today?" He stressed, "The current era's task is to create a fair and just society through the realization of economic democracy to resolve economic inequality and balanced national development to bridge the gap between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas."
Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province attending the 61st Anniversary of the April 11 Democratic Uprising Commemoration and Martyr Kim Ju-yeol Memorial Ceremony.
He also expressed support for the democratization movement against the Myanmar military coup forces.
He said, "Myanmar is much like Masan 61 years ago," adding, "Our history clearly proves that the people's desire and truth for democracy can never be stopped by guns and knives. I send deep respect and support to the people of Myanmar who continue to protest demanding democratization."
Mayor Heo said, "May the wall of remembrance become an undying beacon of democracy, and I earnestly hope that the spring of democratization will come to Myanmar as well," adding, "With pride as citizens of the sacred place of democracy, we will strive to ensure that the noble spirit of sacrifice of all democratic martyrs, including Kim Ju-yeol, is passed on."
Kim Ju-yeol was attending a rally condemning the fraudulent election by the then Liberal Party regime on March 15, 1960, just before entering Masan Commercial High School, and was found dead on April 11 in the sea off Masan after being hit by a tear gas canister.
This incident led to the second Masan protest and the Korea University student protests, becoming a catalyst for the April 19 Revolution.
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