"A year ago, I suggested that continuous exchanges with the Tokyo Workers' Learning Association would be beneficial, and I am grateful that you have not forgotten and have come to visit. This will be a very meaningful meeting sharing the spirit of Gwangju in May 1980."
Kim Byeongnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju, and members of the Tokyo Workers' Learning Association in Japan will reunite through a bond formed by the Gwangju Democratization Movement of May 1980.
According to Nam-gu on the 9th, 16 members including Utsunomiya Kenji, President of the Tokyo Workers' Learning Association, will visit Nam-gu Office at noon on the 17th to have a meeting with Mayor Kim Byeongnae.
This comes one year after members of the Tokyo Workers' Learning Association visited the civilian massacre site in Songam-dong, which had been little known during the May 1980 uprising, to commemorate the victims and study the spirit of the democratization movement of Gwangju citizens.
The Tokyo Workers' Learning Association is a group interested in the history of the Republic of Korea and leads education and learning activities targeting workers throughout Japan.
They also visit Gwangju around the time of the May 18 Democratization Movement memorial ceremony and are known to conduct Korean language studies.
Members including Utsunomiya Kenji, former president of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, and Ban Toshiko will pay respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Mangwol-dong in the morning, then meet Mayor Kim Byeongnae to discuss for about 30 minutes the messages of democracy protection, human rights, and peace shown by the citizens of Gwangju in May 1980.
In addition, at 4 p.m., they will attend the 'Screening of the film Songam-dong and Conversation with the Director' event held at the Nam-gu Culture and Arts Center, hosted by the Hyochon Democracy and Human Rights Forum, watch the film with Nam-gu residents, and have various discussions with director Lee Johoon.
The Hyochon Democracy and Human Rights Forum is a private organization promoting various projects to practice democracy, human rights, and peace in everyday life. Since 2021, they have been demanding the truth about the civilian massacre incident that occurred around Songam-dong and Hyochon Station in May 1980 and commemorating the souls of the victims.
Kim Byeongnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, said, "The image and spirit of Gwangju in May 1980 was about caring for each other and soothing even the pain," adding, "The more people reach out in front of common sense and justice, the more the noble spirit of Gwangju will be realized as a value that lives and breathes in reality through solidarity."
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