41st Anniversary of 5·18, Citizens Visiting Minju Cemetery Unite in Calling for Truth Investigation

On the 18th, the 4·16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families Association visited the Mangwol Park National Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery in Gwangju to pay their respects on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] On the 18th, marking the 41st anniversary of the May 18, 1980 Democratization Movement, the rain that had fallen until the previous day stopped, and the Gwangju National May 18 Democratization Cemetery was bustling with citizens who came for the memorial ceremony from early morning.

Due to strengthened social distancing quarantine rules, the number of people allowed inside the ceremony was limited to 99, so most citizens and social organizations gathered in front of the Gate of Democracy.

The police set up police lines and maintained a strict security posture in preparation for any possible accidents.

Near the Gate of Democracy, a noisy atmosphere was noticeable as many civic groups gathered and held protests.

Shin Hyun-gyu (75, Daejeon), who has been visiting the May 18 Democratization Cemetery for 21 years, continued a one-person protest in front of the Gate of Democracy.

The reason he visits here every year is to participate in correcting the distorted history.

Shin said, “I don’t know how long I will live, but my wish is to see the truth of the May 18 Democratization Movement revealed during my lifetime,” emphasizing, “We must not leave incorrect history to future generations.”

Simultaneous protests against the political circles and May 18 organizations also took place.

The Yeosun Rebellion Bereaved Families Association also came here. They raised their voices for the enactment of the ‘Yeosun Incident Special Act,’ holding placards and appealing whenever political figures entered.

On one side, some members of the May 18 Detained and Injured Association gathered to demand the resignation of the current president, citing involvement in various corruptions.

They even had scuffles with the police during the protest. When members of the Injured Association shouted loudly, the police tried to restrain them, leading to verbal confrontations.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam University Students Progressive Union also staged a four-person protest. It was a protest against the visit of Kim Ki-hyun, the acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party.

They also voiced condemnation over the previous day’s incident where 11 university students belonging to the group were arrested by the police during a sit-in protest at the People Power Party’s Gwangju City Party office.

Unlike the May 18 Democratization Cemetery, the National Martyrs’ Cemetery (the old May 18 Cemetery) saw a relatively calm atmosphere with a steady flow of mourners.

The April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Families Association offered flowers and paid respects there.

They said they have been visiting Gwangju since 2015 to commemorate the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Yoon Kyung-hee, mother of Kim Si-hyun, a victim of the Sewol Ferry disaster, said, “There was a time when I knew nothing about May 18. But after experiencing the Sewol Ferry disaster, I heard about and empathized with the pain of May 18 from the citizens of Gwangju who came to mourn and support us,” adding, “We will comfort the souls together, remember together, and continue to seek the truth. Painful history must not be repeated.”

Meanwhile, from 10 a.m. that day, the 41st anniversary May 18 Democratization Movement Memorial Ceremony was held at the National May 18 Democratization Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, honoring the May 18 spirit that contributed to the development of democracy and human rights.