Yoon: "The passionate solidarity of May 1980 Gwangju is the foundation of South Korea's freedom and prosperity"
Massive attendance from ruling and opposition parties, bereaved families... 'Singing the March for the Beloved'
Highlighting student martyrs who helped with 5·18 recovery and participated in blood donations for the wounded
The 44th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising was held on the 18th at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju Metropolitan City.
Hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs under the theme "May, Hope Blossoms," the ceremony was attended by about 2,500 people, including President Yoon Seok-yeol, May 18 democracy activists, bereaved families, key political and government figures, and students. President Yoon has attended for three consecutive years since his first year in office in 2022, keeping his promise to "attend every year."
President Yoon entered holding hands with heads of May 18 organizations and bereaved families. In his commemorative speech, he said, "The passionate solidarity of Gwangju in May 1980 laid the foundation for the freedom and prosperity of today's Republic of Korea," adding, "As the spirit of May deeply took root, the Republic of Korea has fully blossomed the flower of liberal democracy."
Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader, and other ruling party leaders, current lawmakers, and elected officials attended alongside government officials. Opposition party lawmakers and elected officials also attended in large numbers, including Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Chan-dae, floor leader, Jo Guk of the New National Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party, Kim Jun-woo, co-leader of the Justice Party, and Yoon Hee-sook, co-leader of the Progressive Party.
The ceremony proceeded in the order of opening, singing of the national anthem, flower offering, incense burning, silent tribute, opening performance (reading of a memorial poem), progress report, commemorative performance (memorial song), commemorative speech, commemorative performance (choral song), and singing of the "March for the Beloved."
Actor Seo Tae-hwa began the ceremony by reading the May poem "You Left, and Spring Came." Then, Seung-hyun, the grandson of the late Ki Jong-do, who helped recover the bodies of Gwangju citizens killed by martial law troops in May 1980, spoke in the progress report about the truth and development of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, its historical significance, and the commitment of future generations.
In the first commemorative performance, representatives of Chonnam National University students introduced the student martyrs Ryu Dong-woon and Park Geum-hee, who protected Gwangju in May. Ryu, a sophomore at Hanshin University in 1980, resisted until the end at the provincial government office despite his father's pleas and died, while Park, a third-year student at Chuntae Girls' Commercial High School, died from gunfire by martial law troops while returning home after donating blood for the wounded.
Student representatives from Chonnam National University spoke about the "hope of May" that the martyrs held until the end, and musical actor Lee Geon-myeong sang "Beautiful Person" with a heart mourning the May spirits.
Juniors from the martyrs' alma maters also presented bouquets of May flowers, symbolizing the "May spirits," to President Yoon and the bereaved families in the audience.
The second commemorative performance, symbolizing the collective remembrance of the hope blossomed by May, featured the Gwangju City Choir and the City Children's Choir singing the choral piece "Together."
The ceremony concluded with all attendees standing to sing the "March for the Beloved." Afterwards, President Yoon, along with heads of May 18 organizations, bereaved families, and the head of the Veterans Affairs Office, paid respects at the graves of martyrs Park Geum-hee, Kim Yong-geun, and Han Gang-woon.
Prior to this, President Yoon left a message in the guestbook stating, "The spirit of May leading our freedom, prosperity, and future."
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