2024 People Power Party Gwangju Branch New Year Meeting Attendance
Visit to Gwangju Student Movement Memorial Tower and 518 Democracy Cemetery
"We Will Show Our Gratitude Through Policies and Budgets"
Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, visited Gwangju, the heart of the opposition, and expressed strong support for the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the preamble of the Constitution.
Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is delivering a greeting at the Gwangju Party Office New Year's Meeting on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Jamin
On the morning of the 4th, at the 'People Power Party Gwangju Metropolitan City Party New Year's Meeting,' Chairman Han said, "I believe the spirit of May 18 aligns precisely with protecting democracy and the spirit of the Constitution," adding, "We will not merely agree to include it in the constitutional preamble but will actively promote it. However, the procedure for amending the Constitution is also important."
He continued, "My generation and the generations to come hold gratitude and respect, rather than a sense of debt or guilt, toward May 18 and the citizens of Gwangju," emphasizing, "I will demonstrate this sentiment through policies, budgets, and administration while leading the People Power Party."
He also raised his voice, saying, "Although we (People Power Party) are a minority party, we are the ruling party that won the presidential election," and added, "Let us make this region better and address the disappointments of the past more thoroughly."
Chairman Han encouraged party members by saying, "If our party wins in Gwangju and Honam, it will be a great and remarkable achievement in our country's politics beyond just a party victory," and "It will be an uncharted and difficult path, but let's walk it together."
Furthermore, he stressed, "I did not come here to do an unpleasant homework assignment," and "We may not immediately receive votes from Gwangju and Honam, but we are sincere about Gwangju and Honam."
Even after the New Year's meeting ended with a cake-cutting ceremony, during a meeting with reporters, he said, "While serving as Minister of Justice, I believe I worked to resolve the grievances of the people regardless of political camps," and added, "I addressed issues such as the Inhyukdang debt torture case, which the previous government could have resolved but did not."
Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, visited the National 518 Democracy Cemetery on the 4th, laid a wreath, and was lost in thought. [Photo by Yoon Ja-min]
Earlier, after arriving at Gwangju Songjeong Station, Chairman Han paid respects at the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower and the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery.
After offering flowers and a moment of silence, he visited the graves of martyr Yoon Sang-won and two other unnamed martyrs. While listening to an explanation from an official at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery Management Office, he shared an anecdote about visiting the site around 1999.
In the guestbook, he wrote, "I respect the great dedication of the citizens of Gwangju for democracy. Reflecting on that spirit, I will build the future together with fellow citizens."
Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is touching a tombstone after paying respects at the National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery on the 4th. [Photo by Yoon Jamin]
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
