Yoon Seok-yeol's Attendance at 5·18 Gwangju Memorial Ceremony Announced... People Power Party Issues Full Mobilization Order

The leadership of the People Power Party is cheering as the exit poll results from the three major broadcasters are announced on the day of the presidential election. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The leadership of the People Power Party has encouraged all its members to travel to Gwangju for the 42nd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, which President Yoon Suk-yeol is scheduled to attend on the 18th.

Song Eon-seok, the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, reportedly stated in a group messenger chat with party members on the 15th, "Leader Lee Jun-seok and floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, along with the party leadership, have agreed that all party members will attend the May 18 commemoration event." He added, "A special KTX train will depart from Seoul Station at 7:50 a.m. on the day, so please travel together as a group," and requested, "Considering that national unity is more important than anything else at this time of the new government's launch, please attend without exception." He also announced, "Members who are unable to attend due to unavoidable reasons should consult separately with the floor leader." A floor official conveyed that "President Yoon requested the attendance of party members."

However, since preliminary supplementary budget reviews are being conducted by standing committees this week and the local election season is underway, the scope of members' attendance is said to be flexible. Therefore, attendance is expected to be centered around party members who have made the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions their 'second constituencies' and are part of the party's 'Honam companionship' group.

This is not the first time the People Power Party leadership has participated in the May 18 commemoration ceremony. In August 2020, former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in visited the May 18 memorial site in Gwangju, laid flowers at the memorial tower, and knelt for about 15 seconds as an expression of apology. Last year, after his inauguration, leader Lee Jun-seok visited Gwangju for his first local schedule and delivered a message expressing sympathy for "Gwangju's painful history." At the same time, former floor leader Kim Ki-hyun and other leaders visited Gwangju to console the May 18 victims' families.