Integrated Union's 5.18 Democratization Movement 41st Anniversary Statement "Honoring the Noble Deaths of the Sacrificed Spirits"

Anseong is the chairman of the integrated labor union.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The National Integrated Public Officials Labor Union (Chairman An Seong-eun, hereinafter referred to as the Integrated Union) issued a statement on the 18th to mark the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, stating, “We highly appreciate the significant impact the Gwangju Uprising had on the democratic changes in our society and mourn the noble deaths of the many spirits who sacrificed their lives during the uprising.”

It added, “We sincerely express our gratitude and condolences to those who were injured during the uprising and those who later passed away.”

It also criticized, “The May 18 Gwangju Uprising also bore the character of state violence against innocent civilians,” and stated, “Some political military personnel committed atrocities by massacring innocent citizens demanding democracy to seize power.” It then recalled the recent massacres occurring in Myanmar, saying, “It is tragic that such a tragic situation is still happening in Myanmar.”

The Integrated Union pledged, “As public officials and laborers, we recognize that May 18 was part of state violence and vow to work towards the democratization of public institutions to ensure such tragic state violence never recurs.” It also expressed hope that “the still unrevealed truths related to the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, including those who ordered the mass shooting of citizens, will be uncovered soon.”

(Statement) Reflecting on the Meaning of the 41st Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising

Today marks the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. The May Gwangju Uprising was a crucial turning point in the history of democracy in our country. It was an uprising that clearly exposed the illegitimacy and injustice of the military coup forces who crushed the April 19 Revolution demanding democracy, marking the first step in the struggle to restore democracy after 20 years.

The democratization struggle that began with the May 18 Gwangju Uprising exploded nationwide seven years later in the June Struggle. The people, expressing their long-suppressed desire for democratization taken away by military forces for decades, ultimately succeeded in achieving democratization after persistent struggle. The success of political democratization soon triggered struggles to secure democratic rights, including labor rights, throughout society. In particular, the labor movement expanded significantly after 1987, helping to deepen and broaden the overall atmosphere of democratization in society. The formation of public officials’ labor unions and their participation in the labor movement clearly stem from and continue the broader social democratization movement rooted in the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

On the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, we highly appreciate the significant impact the Gwangju Uprising had on democratic changes in our society and mourn the noble deaths of the many spirits who sacrificed their lives during the uprising. We also sincerely express our gratitude and condolences to those who were injured during the uprising and those who later passed away.

The May 18 Gwangju Uprising also bore the character of state violence against innocent civilians. Some political military personnel committed atrocities by massacring innocent citizens demanding democracy to seize power. It is tragic that such a tragic situation is still happening in Myanmar.

As public officials and laborers, we recognize that May 18 was part of state violence and vow to work towards the democratization of public institutions to ensure such tragic state violence never recurs. We also hope that the still unrevealed truths related to the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, including those who ordered the mass shooting of citizens, will be uncovered soon.

Once again, we deeply reflect on the historical significance of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising and bow our heads deeply before the spirits of all those who sacrificed their lives at that time.

May 18, 2021.

National Integrated Public Officials Labor Union