For 2 Consecutive Years, the Democratic Party Fully Mobilized for May 18: Can They Win Back Honam Public Sentiment?

Ahead of the General Election, Efforts to Appease Honam Public Sentiment
"For National Unity" but Political Interpretations Cautioned

Members of the People Power Party (PPP) made a full appearance at the 43rd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. This marks their second consecutive year attending. With the general election just a year away, this move appears to be an effort to appease the angered public sentiment in Honam following Kim Jae-won's remarks opposing the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the constitution.

PPP leadership, including Kim Ki-hyun, the party leader, and Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader, attended the 43rd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, that morning.

This is a stark contrast to the past when conservative party politicians visiting Gwangju to pay respects for May 18 were met with fierce protests from citizens and had to withdraw. In 2015, Kim Moo-sung, then leader of the Saenuri Party, and in 2019, Hwang Kyo-ahn, then leader of the Liberty Korea Party, were both met with protests and even doused with water during their visits to attend the ceremony in Gwangju.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, the first conservative government president to attend the May 18 ceremony, also attended this year. He kept his promise to the May 18 victims to "come every year." On this day, President Yoon entered together with members of the Mothers of May 18.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, are singing the national anthem at the 43rd anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising held on the 18th at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Party leader Kim Ki-hyun said, "There can be no politics before the spirit of May," and promised, "We will ensure that our party's sincerity toward the May 18 Democratization Movement is neither damaged nor faded." At the Supreme Council meeting held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju that day, Kim emphasized, "Because of the precious sacrifices made that day, we are able to enjoy freedom, human rights, peace, and democracy today," and added, "We will work harder so that our party's sincerity resonates deeply within the hearts of Gwangju and Honam citizens."

Yoon Hee-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon' on the 18th and explained, "Members of the National Assembly representing our party members and party district committee chairs are all attending the ceremony," adding, "The purpose of this visit to Gwangju is to reflect on the historical true meaning of May 18 and to convey our party's sincerity toward Honam."

Supreme Council member Kim Byung-min cautioned against interpreting this as a political move ahead of the general election. On SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that day, he said, "This is not a politically strategic approach ahead of the election but an effort for national unity."

He elaborated, "In the past, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, visited Gwangju to offer what was called a knee apology, and since our party's National Assembly members are mainly based in the Yeongnam region, we have tried to show much affection toward the Honam region, where there are no incumbent members," adding, "These efforts are not simply about gaining votes in elections but are an essential process toward national unity for advancing democracy in the Republic of Korea."

However, the atmosphere inside Gwangju is not entirely favorable. On the 16th, 117 civic groups from Gwangju and Jeonnam held a press conference at the May 18 Democratic Square, announcing their rejection of President Yoon and the People Power Party's visit to Gwangju. They claimed that the government and ruling party are heading in a direction completely opposite to the spirit of May 18 and rejected what they called a 'showy visit of paying respects.'