Lee Jae-myung: "Gwangju is the Social Mother" Pays Tribute at Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery

Opposition Presidential Candidate's De Facto First Schedule: Trip to Gwangju... Rallying Support Base and Commitment to Unity

"May 18 Changed My Life Entirely"... "Jeon Du-hwan Is a Mass Murderer," Firm Statement

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is paying respects to the May spirits at the Gwangju National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery on the 22nd.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Gwangju, the heart of the party, on the 22nd to pay respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery.

Visiting Gwangju, which holds great symbolic significance, as his first schedule as the ruling party’s presidential candidate is interpreted as a commitment to consolidate and unify his support base.

Around 9 a.m., an hour before Lee’s arrival, the area in front of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City was already filled with supporters.

Groups of three or five gathered to discuss the prospects of this presidential election, holding placards and waiting for Lee’s arrival.

When Lee arrived, chants of “Lee Jae-myung will do it” echoed from all around, and Lee bowed his head to show respect to the supporters.

He immediately moved to the memorial group, offering condolences to the May spirits, paying respects at the graves of unknown martyrs and missing persons, and then headed to the old cemetery area where the Jeon Du-hwan monument is buried underground.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Gwangju on the 22nd and stepped on the 'Jeon Du-hwan Monument' buried in the ground of the 2nd burial area at the National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery.

This monument was erected by former President Jeon Du-hwan in 1982 to commemorate his visit to a village in Damyang County, Jeollanam-do. Later, in 1989, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Democratic Comrades Association destroyed the monument and buried it here so that people would walk over it.

Lee referred to Gwangju as the “social mother.”

He said, “Many people in South Korea changed their lives because of Gwangju. I am one of those people. In May 1980, I did not know the truth due to distorted media coverage and at that time, I was part of the secondary victimization.”

He continued, “After learning the truth about Gwangju, I realized the social injustices, the manipulation and agitation by a small privileged group, and the destruction of democracy. I decided to create a fair society where democracy lives, and I changed my entire life for that.”

He also stated, “The democracy of this country was built on the blood of Gwangju. Naturally, this is the first place I must visit to pay my respects and pledge what I must do going forward.”

He also mentioned Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party’s presidential primary candidate, who sparked controversy with remarks defending Jeon Du-hwan.

Lee said, “Yoon’s words are not particularly surprising. He never played any role for human rights and peace, and he only enjoyed peace within this democratic system, so he probably did not understand the meaning at all. What more can I say?”

Regarding Jeon Du-hwan, he said firmly, “Whenever I mention Jeon Du-hwan, I always struggle with how to address him. Since his honors have been revoked, it is appropriate to call him Mr. Jeon Du-hwan. He is a ringleader of a rebellion crime and a mass murderer.”

He added, “Regarding state violent crimes, as long as the perpetrators are alive, they must be punished and compensated forever, so the statute of limitations and expiration periods must be abolished. I hope that he (Jeon Du-hwan) lives long enough so that the law can be changed and he can be punished.”

When asked about the timing of his resignation as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, he answered briefly and firmly, “Soon.”

In the guestbook, he wrote, “Democracy does not come by itself; it must be made and protected. We will remember your sacrifices.”

Meanwhile, Lee is scheduled to immediately move to Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam Province, to pay respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.

The guestbook entry written by Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, on the 22nd before paying respects at the Gwangju National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery.