Yoon Personally Revised Speech... Caring for 'May Mothers' While Emphasizing "Constitutional Spirit, Central Pillar" (Comprehensive)

Conservative Regime Attends 5·18 Democratization Movement Memorial Ceremony for 2 Consecutive Years
Over 850-Character Commemorative Speech... Personally Revised from Draft to Final
Mentions 'Gusimche' and Emphasizes 'Democracy' and 'Freedom' Again This Year

President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the May 18 Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony on the 18th and stated, "The spirit of May is the very spirit of the free democratic constitution, a precious asset that must be inherited." Having personally overseen the draft speech through multiple revisions, President Yoon delivered a message about the 'inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the constitution' as promised during his presidential campaign, continuing from last year.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon attended the 43rd anniversary May 18 Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, saying, "Gwangju was a historic site that upheld the values of free democracy and human rights, and the spirit of May is the centripetal force that unites us."

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a commemorative speech at the 43rd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As the first conservative president to attend the May 18 Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony for two consecutive years, President Yoon broke from the tradition of entering with major figures this year by personally welcoming 15 'Mothers of May' at the 'Gate of Democracy' and then entering together to lay wreaths and offer incense. A senior official from the presidential office explained, "This reflects the president's determination that one cannot speak of the May spirit without fighting for constitutional spirit, practice, and free democracy."

This year as well, all attendees including President Yoon sang the people's song symbolizing May 18, "March for the Beloved." This demonstrated a will to end conflicts beyond mere unity, as the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations had either excluded this song from the ceremony order or played it as a chorus rather than a solo. The ceremony was also attended by key figures such as National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, ministers from central government departments, about 170 ruling and opposition lawmakers, and around 60 out-of-parliament People Power Party local committee chairpersons.

In his commemorative speech, President Yoon emphasized, "Under the spirit of May, we are one," adding, "The May spirit commands us to practice to protect free democracy, and if we do not forget and inherit the May spirit, we must boldly confront and fight all forces and challenges that threaten freedom and democracy, and have such practical courage."

Compared to last year's 1,174-character speech, President Yoon's relatively shorter 849-character speech this year mentioned democracy 13 times and freedom 8 times, reiterating that the May spirit is the spirit of the free democratic constitution. Furthermore, he urged, "If we do not forget and inherit the May spirit, we must boldly confront and fight all forces and challenges that threaten freedom and democracy, and have such practical courage."

Earlier, President Yoon defined the subject and nature of the May 18 Democratic Movement as a 'resistance' for free democracy and human rights. As a conservative candidate elected president, just nine days after his inauguration, he emphasized the May spirit?once regarded as an asset of the progressive camp?as "the cornerstone of national unity defended by the blood of free democracy," and "the restoration of universal values and the very spirit of the free democratic constitution," thereby earning recognition for promoting national unity.

This year, he highlighted the 'Mothers of May.' After personally welcoming them at the site, he said, "They are those who, despite carrying the grief of losing beloved husbands, children, and brothers, devoted their lives to ensuring the May spirit does not lose its light," and expressed deep gratitude for "the courage of those who live without losing hope despite the sorrowful years."

He also did not omit the significance of 'Gwangju,' symbolizing the May spirit. President Yoon stated, "The free democracy of this land was not obtained by itself but was protected through the sacrifice and dedication of many," adding, "This place, Gwangju, is a historic site that upheld the values of free democracy and human rights." Continuing from last year, he said, "If we do not forget and inherit the May spirit, we must boldly confront and fight all forces and challenges that threaten freedom and democracy, and have such practical courage."

In addition to the May spirit and national unity, President Yoon also pledged to achieve economic prosperity in Honam. He mentioned, "The spirit of May is completed through freedom, creativity, and innovation, leading to industrial achievements and economic development in Gwangju and Honam," and stated, "We will properly support Gwangju and Honam's innovative spirit to achieve advancement in AI and cutting-edge science and technology."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is leading the singing of "March for the Beloved" at the 43rd anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held on the 18th at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju.
[Image source=Yonhap News]