President Moon: "The truth of Gwangju is approaching its final stage"

SNS Message on the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement Memorial Ceremony... "Today in Myanmar, We See Yesterday's Gwangju"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 18th, "We are approaching the truth of Gwangju, its final chapter."

On the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, President Moon posted a message on social networking services (SNS) saying this. He said, "Last week, courageous testimonies from martial law soldiers revealed that they deployed machine guns and snipers to aim and shoot at citizens," and added, "I sincerely thank those who did not turn away from the truth."

Last year, on the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, President Moon visited Gwangju and delivered a commemorative speech, but this year he replaced it with an SNS message from the Blue House. He gave meaning by saying, "May that does not remain in yesterday and today."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "Citizen soldiers, rice balls, taxis transporting the wounded, lines of blood donors. The spirit of wanting to protect and save our neighbors together is democracy," and added, "Today, we gratefully reflect on how that spirit has become our proud democracy beyond the candlelight protests and the strength to overcome COVID-19."

President Moon emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth and restoring honor. He explained, "Last year, the ‘May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission’ began full-scale investigations into human rights violations, violence, massacres, and secret burials. In March this year, there was a time of reconciliation and healing when martial law soldiers met with bereaved families and directly asked for forgiveness."

President Moon enumerated meaningful practices to remember 'May Gwangju.' He said, "We stand with May Gwangju. We have completed the basic plan to restore the old Jeonnam Provincial Government Building to its 1980 appearance."

President Moon said, "Martyr Park Yong-jun transferred manuscripts with a steel pen onto mimeograph paper to create the Gwangju citizens’ newsletter . His life, taken by martial law soldiers’ bullets, returns to us through the ‘Park Yong-jun font.’ These are gifts of May for future generations who will open a new era of democracy."

President Moon said, "We remember (the film) 'Taxi Driver' journalist J?rgen Hinzpeter. To honor his spirit of reporting the horrors of May Gwangju to the world and staying at the scene until the end to document it, starting this October, the ‘Hinzpeter International Reporting Award’ will be presented. It will be a gift sharing the democratic values achieved by Gwangju with global citizens."

President Moon expressed sorrow while mentioning the events unfolding in Myanmar. He said, "Today, we see yesterday’s Gwangju in Myanmar. We earnestly hope that the spirit of May Gwangju and journalist Hinzpeter will become the hope of Myanmar."

President Moon concluded his message with the following words.

"I deeply honor the May democratic spirits and offer respect and consolation to the wounded and bereaved families who endured harsh times. The May of democracy, human rights, and peace will not remain in yesterday’s Gwangju but will move forward step by step, powerfully toward tomorrow and the world."