At the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, Mothers in White Hanbok Hold 'Memorial Ceremony'

The 5·18 Democratic Movement Victims' Families Association hosted the 44th anniversary memorial ceremony for the 5·18 People's Uprising.

The memorial ceremony held on the 17th at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery was divided into two parts: the first part was a ritual for the victims, and the second part was the memorial service, held a day before the government-hosted 5·18 commemoration. About 300 people, including bereaved families, heads of public organizations, and political figures, participated (according to the organizers' estimate).

On the 17th, the '44th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony of the May 18 People's Uprising' is being held at the Gwangju National May 18 Democratic Cemetery.

Yang Jae-hyeok, president of the 5·18 Victims' Families Association, Yoon Nam-sik, president of the 5·18 Contributors Association, and Moon Jun-hee, head of the Gwangju branch of the 5·18 Victims' Families Association, respectively performed the initial offering, secondary offering, and final offering. After lighting incense and circling a cup of liquor three times over the incense flame, they poured liquor into a bowl and bowed twice to conclude the ritual. A pungmul performance by the play troupe Manwol followed.

The second part proceeded with the declaration of the opening, national ceremony, introduction of guests, memorial speeches, greetings from the bereaved families' representatives, recitation of memorial poems, singing of the "March for the Beloved," flower offering and incense burning, and sharing events.

When the Gwangju Recitation Association recited memorial poems, May mothers dressed in white mourning clothes sobbed and wiped away tears.

In his memorial speech, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung said, "Although many achievements have been made over the 44 years, such as the enactment of the 5·18 Special Act and the designation of a national memorial day, distortions of the 5·18 incident still persist," adding, "Because a history without perpetrators has lasted too long, next year's 45th anniversary will be the first year to enshrine the spirit of 5·18 in the preamble of the Constitution, and we will accomplish this."

Ha Sung-il, head of the Gwangju Veterans Affairs Office, stated, "The freedom and democracy we enjoy today were never obtained by chance," and added, "We will deeply reflect on the noble spirit of sacrifice of the May spirits and strive to pass it on to the next generation."

Yang Jae-hyeok, president of the 5·18 Victims' Families Association, emphasized, "Just as we vividly remember the truth of that day in May 1980, the records containing citizens' testimonies and accounts have already been registered as a World Heritage, becoming a precious spiritual asset."

He continued, "In 2024, the spirit of May must be included in the preamble of the Constitution so that the spirit of democracy, human rights, and peace, which citizens protected at the cost of their lives, will not be in vain," adding, "We must stop the futile debates that disparage or distort May, when lives were risked to resist injustice, and unite with one heart and mind to take one step closer to historical truth. I hope for a better Republic of Korea through integration instead of division."