"Economic Freedom Not Enjoyed by All Citizens"
"Restore the Ladder of Social Mobility... Must Enhance Freedom and Welfare"
Protect the Vulnerable to Open an 'Era of Common People and the Middle Class'
President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a commemorative speech at the 44th anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the 5·18 Democratic Movement commemorative ceremony for the third consecutive year since his inauguration, paying tribute to the sacrifices of the democratic spirits and expressing gratitude to the merit recipients and bereaved families.
On the morning of the 18th, at the 44th anniversary 5·18 Democratic Movement commemorative ceremony held at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, President Yoon said, "The passionate solidarity of Gwangju in May 1980 laid the foundation for the freedom and prosperity of today's Republic of Korea," adding, "The current Republic of Korea stands on the blood and tears shed by Gwangju."
President Yoon is the second president, following former President Roh Moo-hyun, to attend the 5·18 Democratic Movement commemorative ceremony for three consecutive years during his term.
To signify the passing down of the 5·18 spirit through generations, President Yoon welcomed the bus carrying representatives of the bereaved families along with descendants of the 5·18 merit recipients at the entrance of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, entered together through the 'Gate of Democracy,' and jointly laid flowers and offered incense.
In his commemorative speech, he paid homage to the noble sacrifices of the democratic spirits and conveyed consolation and gratitude to the 5·18 Democratic Movement merit recipients and bereaved families who have carried on the 'Spirit of May.'
President Yoon stated, "As the spirit of May took deep root, the Republic of Korea has blossomed into a flower of liberal democracy," and added, "The political freedom and human rights enjoyed by each citizen now stand on par with any country in the world."
"Social Polarization Brings Crisis to Liberal Democracy"
However, he pointed out that unlike the expansion of political freedom in our society, many citizens still do not enjoy economic freedom, saying, "We are facing another era-defining challenge."
President Yoon emphasized, "Class conflicts caused by economic inequality and the breaking of the ladder of opportunity have deepened social polarization, bringing a crisis to liberal democracy," and said, "We must rapidly grow the economy to restore the ladder of social mobility and raise the level of freedom and welfare enjoyed by the people."
He continued, "We must fairly share the fruits of growth and provide stronger protection for the socially vulnerable to open an era centered on the happy working and middle classes," and explained, "We need to firmly prepare the soil of challenge and opportunity so that future generations can dream of tomorrow."
President Yoon said, "This is the proper way to inherit the spirit of May in this era and sincerely repay the sacrifices and tears of Gwangju," adding, "I and the government will devote all efforts to opening a new future where the spirit of May shines brilliantly."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is observing a moment of silence at the 44th anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Bereaved Families’ Eyes Well Up During 5·18 Memorial Poetry Reading
On this day, actor Seo Tae-hwa marked the beginning of the ceremony by reading the poem "After You Leave, Spring Comes" by poet Kim Yong-taek. This poem, included in a collection published in 1988, commemorates and remembers the victims of the 5·18 Democratic Movement. During the reading, some bereaved family members’ eyes welled up with tears.
Afterwards, representatives of students from Chonnam National University shared stories about the 'Hope of May' that the martyrs held onto until the end, and musical actor Lee Geon-myeong sang "Beautiful Person" with a heart mourning the May spirits. Juniors from the alma mater attended by the student victims of the 5·18 Democratic Movement offered bouquets of Korean fringetree flowers symbolizing the May spirits and conveyed condolences to the attending bereaved families.
After the ceremony, President Yoon visited the graves of the late merit recipients Park Geum-hee, Kim Yong-geun, and Han Gang-woon, who are buried in Cemetery No. 1, paying respects and consoling their families. Merit recipient Park Geum-hee, a third-year student at Jeonnam Girls' Commercial High School, died after being shot by martial law troops while donating blood at a Christian hospital to help citizens in May 1980.
Merit recipient Kim Yong-geun was a Korean War veteran who, after retiring as a high school history teacher, was imprisoned for six months for hiding wanted students in his hometown of Gangjin. He died in May 1985 due to aftereffects. Merit recipient Han Gang-woon was captured and tortured while monitoring the movements of airborne troops during the 5·18 Democratic Movement and died in September 2002 from the aftereffects.
The ceremony was attended by 2,500 people, including 5·18 merit recipients and their families, key government officials, students, and citizens. Major political figures also attended in large numbers, including Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Park Chan-dae, floor leader; Hwang Woo-yeo, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party; Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader; Jo Guk, leader of the National Innovation Party; and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is entering together with representatives of the families of the May 18 victims at the 44th anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement held on the 18th at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. [Image source=Yonhap News]
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
