Lee Jun-seok Visits 5·18 Cemetery, Calls for Inclusion of Democratic Movement in Constitution

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok comforted the public sentiment in Honam by visiting the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, on the 17th to pay his respects.

Lee visited the democratic cemetery on the day before the 43rd anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising commemorative ceremony.

Together with Cheon Ha-ram, chairman of the Suncheon Gap Party Committee in Jeollanam-do, lawmaker Heo Eun-ah, former Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae, and former party leader’s political secretary Kim Cheol-geun, he laid flowers and paid tribute in front of the memorial tower.

Afterwards, he toured the burial grounds, honoring the spirits of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the democratization movement by listening to their stories.

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok paid respects on the 17th at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, together with Cheon Ha-ram, chairman of the Suncheon Gap Party Committee in Jeollanam-do, Representative Heo Eun-ah, former Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae, and former party leader political affairs chief Kim Cheol-geun.

After finishing his tribute, Lee met with reporters and said, "There are a few party members who have historically stirred controversy during the recent party convention process to gain benefits."

He added, "I will work harder to ensure that such incidents never happen again to the people of the Honam region, who may have been hurt by these individuals."

Regarding the issue of enshrining the spirit of May 18 in the constitution, he said, "Several party members have already expressed their agreement during the presidential election process," but criticized, "It seems to be a big misconception for Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won to say it was merely an election strategy."

He continued, "Promises must be pursued without change, and I believe that not only May 18 but also the history of other democratization movements all deserve to be recorded in the preamble of the constitution, and that this should be done."