President Yoon Seok-yeol Attends First National Commemoration Ceremony Since Inauguration
Singing of 'March for the Beloved'... First Time in Conservative Government History
Yoon: "We Will Elevate the Values of Democratic Spirits and Move To
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The 42nd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, a history of the struggle for democracy in the Republic of Korea, was held on the 18th at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
The ceremony, which had been significantly scaled down for two years due to the impact of COVID-19 since 2020, was fully held this year for the first time in three years as social distancing measures were completely lifted.
About 2,000 people attended the ceremony, including President Yoon Seok-yeol, political figures from both ruling and opposition parties, representatives of various organizations, and citizens.
The ceremony was held under the theme "Offering May," conveying a message to heal the pain of May 18 democratic martyrs and their families through truth-finding, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and to cherish the seeds of democracy sown from Gwangju and together create a hopeful May for the people.
The event proceeded in the order of flower offering and incense burning, national ceremony, progress report, memorial performance, commemorative speech, commemorative performance, and the singing of the "March for the Beloved."
During the flower offering and incense burning, heads of organizations related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising and junior students from schools that participated in the movement jointly commemorated the May 18 martyrs.
The memorial performance began with a video themed "The Truth of May." The video was modeled after the movie "Taxi Driver" and was titled "May Taxi, Running Toward the Truth."
Actor Lee Ji-hoon, who plays the role of martyr Yoon Sang-won in the musical "Gwangju," took on the role of the taxi driver, and Professor Choi Jeong-gi, a May 18 history expert from Chonnam National University, rode along to convey historical facts such as the origin of the May 18 name.
The story of photographer Kim Hyang-deuk, a democratic merit recipient who participated as a high school student citizen soldier during May 18, and the story of Kim Hyung-mi, director of the May Mothers' House, who misses her older brother who was injured during the uprising and passed away after battling illness, were introduced.
The video ended as the taxi arrived at its final destination, the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery. Afterwards, actor Lee Ji-hoon, who got out of the actual taxi, sang the "Song of May" together with the May Mothers' Choir and a children's choir to commemorate the May 18 martyrs.
President Yoon Seok-yeol said in his commemorative speech, "I pay my respects to the noble sacrifices and bow my head in prayer for their souls. I also offer my deepest condolences to the democratic merit recipients and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratic Uprising who live with the pain of losing family, neighbors, and friends."
He continued, "The spirit of May is the restoration of universal values and the very spirit of the free democratic constitution. That spirit belongs to all of us and is a precious asset of the Republic of Korea," adding, "My administration and I will do our best to elevate the values protected by the democratic martyrs and lead the country toward prosperity."
He further stated, "The spirit of May, which was defended with blood for free democracy, is the cornerstone of national unity," and added, "I am confident that the spirit of May will unite our people and protect us in times of crisis and challenge."
Many lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties attended the ceremony that day. Encouraged by President Yoon, nearly 100 members of the People Power Party, marking the first time in conservative party history that almost all members attended.
Over 100 members, including the Democratic Party leadership, also participated.
At the end of the ceremony, they highlighted the event by singing the "March for the Beloved" together.
When the host said, "Please all stand up, hold hands, and sing vigorously along with the accompaniment," all lawmakers from both sides stood up.
They held each other's hands or clenched fists and sang the "March for the Beloved." Although everyone wore masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the masks visibly moved with their singing.
This was the first time in conservative government history that the "March for the Beloved" was sung together.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
