43rd Anniversary 5·18 Event Committee Launches on 16th... Event Preparations Begin in Earnest

'The Spirit of May, with Today's Justice!' Slogan

The 43rd Anniversary 5·18 People's Uprising Commemoration Event Committee is set to actively begin preparations for the commemorative events.

The 5·18 Event Committee announced on the 15th that the launching ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on the 16th at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and the National Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery.

About 100 people are expected to attend, including Choi Cheol, the Standing Event Chairman, the event chairpersons, May organizations, Gwangju Metropolitan City, the city council, the superintendent of education, and event committees from various cities and provinces.

The ceremony will begin with the reading of the launch declaration in front of the ‘Gate of Democracy’ at the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, followed by the announcement of the slogan, key themes, and direction. Afterwards, participants will pay respects in sequence at the Democratic Cemetery and the National Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery to honor the spirits of the martyrs.

This year’s 5·18 commemorative event slogan is “The Spirit of May, Justice of Today!” It carries the meaning of inheriting the spirit of the 5·18 People's Uprising, whose participants sacrificed without fear to protect democracy, and aims to create peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula as well as a democratic, fair, and just present.

The winning entries can be viewed on the notice board of the 5·18 Event Committee’s official website.

The key themes and direction of the 43rd anniversary 5·18 Event Committee include uncovering the truth and inheriting the spirit, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice by overcoming crises of peace and unification, democracy, livelihood, war, and climate environment through the spirit of the May community, and expressing support and encouragement for the future generations of 5·18.