Yoon and Ruling and Opposition Parties All Attend 5·18 Memorial Ceremony, Citizens Say "Has This Ever Happened in Over 40 Years?"

Banner Saying "Welcome President" Hung at Event Entrance
Demand to Include "5·18 Spirit in Constitutional Preamble"
"Democratic Party and People Power Party Should Attend Together for Unity"

On the 18th, members of the merit association held a placard protest in front of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, where the 42nd anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising was held. Photo by Kwon Hyunji

[Gwangju=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] “I’m also quite bewildered right now. Nothing like this has happened in over 40 years.”

On the 18th, Hwang Hwa-sook (70, Suwan-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju), a citizen met at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, expressed this reaction to President Yoon Seok-yeol, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, and ministers from various departments all gathering at the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement memorial ceremony. Hwang said, “Since the ceremony was held shortly after the new administration took office, there seems to be more interest,” and added, “I hope it continues like this forever,” expressing her welcome.

At the entrance of the National Cemetery that day, a banner reading “Welcome the President’s Visit” was hung in line with President Yoon’s attendance. The 5·18 organizations held a May rice ball sharing event commemorating the democratization movement. Rice balls, kimchi, and fermented skate (hong-eo) were provided. A banner from the People Power Party stating “We will advance toward a new nation of the people with the spirit of May” also caught attention.

In front of the main gate of the National Cemetery (Gate of Democracy), protests by members of the 5·18 merit organizations took place even before the event started. They held placards demanding the restoration of the honor of the merit recipients, with slogans such as “The government and National Assembly must include the 5·18 spirit in the preamble of the Constitution” and “5·18 merit recipients receive zero veterans’ benefits.” At one point, verbal altercations occurred between Gwangju citizens and conservative YouTubers. Police personnel were deployed throughout the memorial ceremony venue in preparation for any emergency situations.

A banner is hung at the entrance of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, where the 42nd anniversary 5·18 Democratic Movement commemoration ceremony was held on the 18th. Photo by Kwon Hyun-ji

As the ceremony began, the area near the 5·18 Memorial Hall inside the National Cemetery was filled with citizens wanting to watch the event on a large screen. Most were middle-aged and older, over 60, but some from the 2030 generation were also seen. Jung Woo-rim (30), living in Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, evaluated, “I think it’s positive that the conservative party is making efforts for national unity.” Choi (70, Dong-gu, Gwangju) also commented on President Yoon and People Power Party lawmakers’ attendance, saying, “There has never been a time like this,” and added, “People in Gwangju don’t need to oppose their attendance. Whether it’s the Democratic Party or the People Power Party, it’s good to attend together and harmonize.”

At the end of the ceremony, when the “March for the Beloved” was sung, citizens focused more intently on the screen. Some stood up and sang along. Citizen Hwang Hwa-sook, “a living witness of the democratization movement who used to live in front of the Jeonnam Provincial Office,” said, “Every time I come here (to the ceremony), I carry the spirit of democratization in my heart.”