Gwangju City Council 5·18 Special Committee Launches Activities for a 'Better 5·18'

The 5·18 Special Committee of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council (Chairperson: Councilor Jeong Da-eun) is set to officially begin activities aimed at a better 5·18.

The Special Committee plans to carry out activities to elicit general and natural public empathy from Gwangju citizens in order to resolve the current issues surrounding 5·18.

Jang Da-eun, Chairperson of the 5·18 Special Committee of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council.

First, on the 4th, through communication with institutions and organizations related to 5·18, in-depth discussions will be held regarding ongoing 5·18-related projects, current issues, and problems, and directions for activities toward a better 5·18 will be sought.

To accurately diagnose the current status of 5·18, work reports and meetings will be held with the Gwangju Metropolitan Government’s Democracy, Human Rights and Peace Bureau, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education’s Policy Bureau, the 5·18 Memorial Foundation, and the Standing Representatives of the Pan-City and Provincial Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee for Upholding the Spirit of May.

Subsequently, on the 6th, a roundtable meeting will be held with the 5·18 Truth Investigation Committee to review the progress of the 5·18 truth investigation, which is one of the greatest concerns of both participants in 5·18 and Gwangju citizens.

After confirming the current status of 5·18 through work reports, meetings, and roundtable discussions, the Special Committee plans to co-host the ‘5·18 Gwangju Citizens’ Grand Debate (tentative name)’ with the Gwangju Metropolitan Government to gather opinions from Gwangju citizens.

Jeong Da-eun, Chairperson of the 5·18 Special Committee, stated, “For 5·18 to become the spirit of Gwangju citizens and, furthermore, a permanent spirit of the era, it is necessary to accurately grasp the current status of 5·18 and find solutions through public discourse. The Gwangju Metropolitan Council’s 5·18 Special Committee will do its utmost to engage all citizens, including 5·18 participants, in activities essential for a better future of 5·18.”

Meanwhile, the 5·18 Special Committee, composed of nine councilors, was launched on July 19 and has been active in addressing major issues related to 5·18, including commemorative projects, institutional reforms, education policies, inspection of historic sites and records management, inclusion in the preamble of the Constitution, and national and global recognition.