Jeong Da-eun, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council (Chairperson of the May 18 Special Committee), appealed for the interest and participation of Gwangju citizens in the ‘Citizen Grand Debate for Solving May Issues’.
On the 28th, during a 5-minute speech at the 1st plenary session of the 319th extraordinary meeting, Chairperson Jeong said, “Please become the hope and courage that Gwangju, which cannot give up May, can change.”
She continued, “Today, Gwangju and the May 18 Incident are facing an important turning point,” and stated, “The May 18 Democratic Uprising Truth Investigation Committee has concluded its truth-finding procedures, the functions and roles of organizations related to May 18 are being redefined, there are issues regarding the May 18 commemorative events that involve large budgets, the utilization of the Mangwol-dong space, generational issues and conflicts?our May 18 has reached a turning point.”
She also said, “Until now, the discussion structure dealing with May 18 has been framed by May organizations, civic groups, and the May 18 Memorial Foundation, which has failed to prevent the reality of May 18 being ignored by today’s citizens,” and emphasized, “Now, it is necessary to acknowledge the need for a discussion structure involving citizen participation, and the organizations that have taken the lead in solving May issues over the years must give the discussion space to the citizens.”
Furthermore, she appealed, “I understand well that it is difficult to face each other amid the deep rift caused by long-standing conflicts between May organizations and civic groups,” but added, “Nevertheless, please once again bring out and show the spirit of those who devoted their lives to protect the nation and history in the past.”
She also explained, “In May 1980, beside the citizen army that guarded the provincial government building and streets, there was the overflowing care of the citizens,” and said, “It was ordinary citizens who completed the absolute community of blood and rice.”
She then added, “Regardless of generation, we live through the recurring May every year as citizens of Gwangju,” and said, “Let us gather at the citizen grand debate to explore together how the forty-three Mays you have lived through have changed and how our future May should transform.”
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