Kang Kijeong and Georg Schmidt Meet at Hinzpeter Award Ceremony
Gift of Han Kang's "Human Acts"
Hope for an End to the Suffering of War
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the "Hintzpeter International Press Award Ceremony" held on the afternoon of the 7th at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu and took a commemorative photo with Won Sunseok, chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to Korea, and the award recipients. Provided by Gwangju City
On November 7, Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong met with Georg Schmidt, the German Ambassador to Korea, at the Hinzpeter International Press Award Ceremony and presented him with a copy of author Han Kang's book "Human Acts." They expressed their hope that the values of democracy, human rights, and peace embodied by the May 18 Democratization Movement would extend to places like Palestine and Iran, and that peace would prevail there as well.
Prior to the award ceremony that afternoon, Mayor Kang and Ambassador Schmidt held a meeting at the "Human Acts Book Cafe" on the first floor of Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu. They discussed ways to promote exchanges between Gwangju and Germany and reflected on the spirit of journalist Hinzpeter, who revealed the truth of May 1980 to the world.
Mayor Kang welcomed Ambassador Schmidt by saying, "Germany is remembered in the hearts of Gwangju citizens as the country of Hinzpeter, the hero of May 18. Thank you for visiting Jeonil Building 245, the May 18 Archives, and the Asia Culture Center, all of which are symbols of May 18. It is especially meaningful to stand with you on Geumnam-ro, the very site that Hinzpeter documented."
Mayor Kang presented Ambassador Schmidt with a translated copy of Han Kang's "Human Acts" and said, "In May 1980, journalist Hinzpeter revealed the truth of May 18, and today, Nobel laureate Han Kang is once again bringing the story of May 18 to the world. I pay tribute to all those who endured pain and fear to make the truth of May 18 known."
In response, Ambassador Schmidt said, "It is an honor to be in Gwangju, the city of democracy, human rights, and peace in Korea. The May 18 Democratization Movement is a vital part of history that the entire world must learn from, not just Korea, which makes this meeting in Gwangju even more meaningful."
Mayor Kang and Ambassador Schmidt attended the 2024 Hinzpeter International Press Award Ceremony, presented the Special Feature Award, and expressed their respect and gratitude to the journalists who have worked to document the truth and uphold justice.
The Hinzpeter International Press Award, now in its fourth year since its establishment in 2021, is co-hosted by the May 18 Memorial Foundation and the Korea Video Journalist Association. The award is presented to video journalists who risk their safety to report the truth from the frontlines of democracy, human rights, and peace around the world. It is given in four categories: Grand Prize, News, Special Feature, and Non-competitive.
Mayor Kang stated, "The reason Gwangju, which was isolated and alone in the face of state violence in May 1980, has become a symbol of democracy around the world today is because people everywhere joined hands to help share Gwangju's truth. Now, Gwangju must reach out to those suffering from war and oppression. I am grateful that, through the Hinzpeter International Press Award, Gwangju can play even the smallest part in these efforts. Gwangju will continue to grow as a city of democracy, human rights, and peace by strengthening solidarity with the world."
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