'42nd 5·18 Commemoration Event' Held Normally Without Attendance Restrictions for the First Time in 3 Years

'May, with the Power of Truth! As the Light of the Era' Slogan

Byun Jae-hoon, Executive Committee Chairman of the People's Uprising Commemoration Event, is holding a press conference on the 4th floor of Jeonil Building 245, Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, explaining the overall plan of this commemoration event.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Junho] The 42nd anniversary of the May 18 People's Uprising commemorative event will be held without attendance restrictions for the first time in three years.

The May 18 People's Uprising Commemorative Event Committee held a press conference on the 4th at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, introducing the key themes and plans for this year's commemorative event.

Under the slogan "May, with the Power of Truth! As the Light of the Era," the event is planned with key themes including ▲ Incorporation of fact-finding into the preamble of the Constitution ▲ Gwangju's May as a changed world, May for everyone opening a new era ▲ From May again, towards unification.

The slogan carries the meaning of "Let us all come together in our May with healing and the hopeful power of truth to become the light that opens a new era and new future, envisioning greater peace."

The pre-event program will begin at 1 PM and continue until 7:20 PM, consisting of a citizen festival, May traditional folk performance, and a democratic parade.

Following this, the main stage will host a fusion of traditional pre-event formats with contemporary experimental and creative performances.

By creating a space for exchange where local cultural artists and domestic and international professional artists commemorate and honor May, the event plans to faithfully reproduce the cultural and artistic aspects of the May 18 Gwangju People's Uprising and deliver May's message toward a new era.

Byun Jae-hoon, Executive Director of the People's Uprising Commemorative Event, said, "As this is the first face-to-face event in three years, I have mixed feelings of worry and expectation," adding, "Nevertheless, as we reopen the square and usher in the Geumnam-ro era, I hope that the efforts and hearts of those of us who prepared the event will be conveyed not only to the citizens of Gwangju but also to citizens nationwide, so that everyone can fully enjoy the freedom and democracy of the square."