Yoon Suk-yeol: "The Spirit of May 18 Must Elevate the Values of Liberal Democracy and Lead to Economic Prosperity"

Visit to Gwangju on the 17th... National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery Tribute

Clashes Between Gwangju Jeonnam University Progressive Union and Supporters

Yoon: "Gwangju and Jeonnam Will Become a Hub of Advanced Industrialization"

Former Prosecutor General and opposition presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is offering incense at the memorial altar during his visit to the Gwangju National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery on the morning of the 17th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Yoon Seok-yeol, the opposition presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General, visited the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 17th and stated, “The spirit of 5·18 must be sublimated into universal liberal democracy.”

On the morning of the same day, Yoon visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and bowed his head to the democratic spirits.

Before Yoon’s arrival, in front of the Gate of Democracy, the Gwangju-Jeonnam University Student Progressive Union held banners and placards saying “Modern-day pro-Japanese collaborator Yoon Seok-yeol is not qualified to be a presidential candidate,” causing a commotion with supporters.

As the students continued speaking into the microphone, some of Yoon’s supporters tried to seize the banners and speakers, leading to a physical scuffle.

The police established a blockade and mediated, temporarily settling the situation, but the aftermath continued for some time.

Soon after, Yoon arrived and wrote in the guestbook at the entrance of the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, the “Gate of Democracy,” before beginning his formal tribute.

In the guestbook, he carefully wrote, “Inheriting the spirit of 5·18, which was defended with blood for the spirit of liberal democracy, I will achieve unity and prosperity together with the people.”

Standing before the memorial group, Yoon offered flowers and incense and observed a moment of silence to console the souls of the May spirits.

He then turned his steps toward the burial grounds, gently touching the tombstones of martyrs Park Gwan-hyeon, Hong Nam-soon, and Kim Tae-hong in order.

At a press conference, Yoon said, “Since I worked in Gwangju in the early 2000s, it has been a long time since I last came here. I thought a lot must have changed, but when I entered the burial grounds, I was moved to tears,” adding, “I will sublimate Gwangju’s resentment into universal liberal democratic values and lead it to economic prosperity.”

He also emphasized, “I myself have not heard calls to overcome Gwangju’s resentment,” and said, “For the people and future generations, based on the universal value of liberal democracy, Gwangju and Jeonnam should now become a base for economic industrialization through high-level industrialization and show the world their development.”

As Yoon’s eyes reddened and he choked up during his remarks, supporters shouted in unison, “Don’t cry.”

Opposition presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is touching the tombstone of martyr Lee Han-yeol at the Minjok Minju Martyrs' Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Gwangju (formerly Mangwol Cemetery).

He then immediately moved to the former Mangwol burial grounds, the National Democratic Martyrs’ Cemetery, to console the spirit of martyr Lee Han-yeol, saying, “In 1987, I was a graduate student living in front of Yonsei University,” and “Although I did not witness the moment Lee Han-yeol was hit by a tear gas canister, I am very well aware of the circumstances before and after.”

Regarding the current situation in Myanmar, he stated, “The spirit of 5·18 must be sublimated and accepted as universal liberal democracy,” and emphasized, “Wherever democracy is violated and human rights are trampled worldwide, we must support based on the spirit of 5·18.”

When a citizen asked for his opinion, saying, “I think the most corrupt group is the political group,” Yoon responded, “I agree. Corruption is bound to occur where vested interests exist, but if the policy decision process is conducted transparently to the people, I think corruption can be prevented.”

On the same day, Yoon plans to visit the AI Officer Academy in Daechon-dong, Buk-gu, pay tribute in front of the old Jeonnam Provincial Office on Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, the final battleground of the 5·18 Democratization Movement, and meet with Gwangju citizens around Chungjang-ro.

Guestbook entry written by Yoon Seok-yeol, the opposition presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General, on the morning of the 17th before paying respects at the Gwangju National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery.