Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung's Broad Efforts to Include the Spirit of May 18 in the Constitution and Secure National Funding

Speaker of the National Assembly and Ruling and Opposition Leaders Hold Consecutive Meetings... Request for 'Bipartisan Cooperation'

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung is accelerating his extensive efforts by meeting consecutively with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the leadership of both ruling and opposition parties to include the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in the preamble of the Constitution and secure national funding.

According to Gwangju City on the 14th, Mayor Kang visited the National Assembly in the morning to pay a courtesy call on Speaker Woo Won-shik and delivered a proposal for the formation of a special committee on constitutional amendment to include the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble.

Kang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City (left in the photo), visited Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, on the 14th to request the inclusion of the 5.18 Spirit in the preamble of the Constitution and securing national budget funds.
[Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City]

The proposal is jointly signed by Mayor Kang, Jeong Mu-chang, Chairperson of the Gwangju City Council, Lee Jeong-seon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, and Won Soon-seok, Chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation.

Mayor Kang emphasized, “The spirit of May 18, along with the spirit of April 19, is the root of democracy in the Republic of Korea. Including the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble is a timely demand to establish the constitutional value and status of the May 18 Democratic Movement and a fundamental measure to prevent distortion and denigration of May 18.”

He added, “It was a common pledge of both ruling and opposition parties in the last presidential and general elections and a mandate confirmed by the people’s vote. May Gwangju is confident that the spirit of May 18 will protect our people’s democracy, human rights, and peace.”

He further stated, “I believe that in the 22nd National Assembly, a constitutional amendment reflecting social changes and the will of the people since the 1987 constitutional system, including the inclusion of the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble, can be realized.”

Speaker Woo Won-shik said, “Gwangju, known as Bitgoeul, holds a symbolic position in the history of democracy. Remembering and honoring those who resisted for democracy is the responsibility of all of us. Beyond commemorating the Gwangju spirit, it should be established as a fundamental value in national governance and serve as a solid foundation for the development of democracy.”

He continued, “Since there is a high social consensus on constitutional amendment in the 22nd National Assembly, substantive discussions should begin promptly. Especially, the inclusion of the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble is a matter on which both ruling and opposition parties have effectively agreed, so it should be prioritized and concluded first. Regarding this, the government and the National Assembly share the same intention, and the possibility and conditions for discussions on including the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble are higher than ever. I will do my best to cooperate closely with Mayor Kang Gi-jung to achieve results.”

Earlier, Mayor Kang met with Hwang Un-ha, floor leader of the Justice Innovation Party, and Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, on the previous day.

Last month, he also met with Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, and Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, focusing on the inclusion of the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble.

Mayor Kang requested assistance for the smooth promotion of Gwangju’s local projects during meetings with the leadership of both ruling and opposition parties, shared prospects for the National Assembly and government policy directions, and sought practical cooperation measures, reaffirming mutual commitment to collaboration.

He said, “Gwangju is advancing step by step with three major pillars for the future: artificial intelligence, future automobiles, and as the Asian cultural hub city. Only with the support of the National Assembly can Gwangju realize the future of the ‘2030 Great Transformation’ it envisions. I ask both ruling and opposition parties to unite their efforts so that citizens can see and experience tangible results.”

He also explained and requested support for key regional projects such as the rapid promotion of the AI Demonstration Valley Project (AI Phase 2), inclusion of the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble, relocation of the civil-military integrated airport, and securing transportation infrastructure around the planned complex shopping mall site.

Hwang Un-ha, floor leader of the Justice Innovation Party, said, “Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, Mayor Kang is the first local government head to visit. He is diligent and passionate, so we will also strive for Gwangju’s development. The Justice Innovation Party received overwhelming support from Gwangju citizens in the last general election. We will actively work for Gwangju’s development and the interests of its citizens.”

Mayor Kang also expressed gratitude to the Reform Party, which paid respects and laid flowers at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery with about 1,000 chrysanthemums.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung (right in the photo) met with Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, on the 14th to request bipartisan cooperation on including the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the constitution and securing national funding.
[Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City]

Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, said, “Gwangju is a place I visit often and hold dear. Since all citizens who were in Gwangju in May 1980 are heroes, we came to pay respects and express our gratitude properly. We will continue to do our best so that Gwangju citizens can be happy.”

On the 13th, Mayor Kang and Gwangju-area lawmakers held a ‘Gwangju City-Regional Lawmakers Budget Policy Meeting’ at the National Assembly to resolve major local issues and secure national funding, pledging ‘one-team cooperation.’

At the meeting, they discussed specific support and cooperation measures, including legislation and urgent national budget allocation for the next year.

Mayor Kang said that day, “I have instructed that the vice mayor and department heads individually pursue meetings with lawmakers to continuously strengthen cooperation between Gwangju City and the National Assembly and secure momentum for administrative development.”