Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung Thanks National Assembly for Passing Impeachment Reflecting Public Aspiration

Meeting Between May, Civic, and Religious Groups and National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik
"Threats to Democracy... Spirit of May Gwangju Revived"

Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju, along with representatives of the May 18 organizations, religious groups, and civic organizations, met Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, at the National Assembly in Seoul on the morning of the 17th to express their gratitude and engage in conversation. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung visited the National Assembly on the 17th together with representatives from May 18 organizations, civic groups, and religious communities, expressing his gratitude by saying, "The National Assembly, which protected the Republic of Korea in a time of crisis through the lifting of martial law and the passage of the impeachment bill, is truly reassuring."

On this day, Mayor Kang and the Gwangju delegation met with National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik. The meeting was held to reciprocate the Assembly's efforts to share the experience and significance of May 1980 with the entire nation, emphasizing that "Gwangju in 1980 saved Korea in 2024" during the process of the impeachment resolution, and to thank the National Assembly for honoring Gwangju's sacrifices for democracy.

At the meeting, Mayor Kang presented two books: "The Boy is Coming" by author Han Kang, which introduced the May 18 Democratization Movement to the world, and "I Do Not Bid Farewell," which deals with the Jeju 4.3 Incident.

The "book case" containing the books was specially made by Gwangju City, with the phrase "A Gift from Gwangju" and an image of the Mudeungsan columnar joints engraved on the cover. The book band and bookmark include a message stating, "Following former President Kim Daejung's Nobel Peace Prize, as the city that inspired Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, we will continue to spread the spirit of Gwangju and the meaning of democracy far and wide."

Attending the meeting from the National Assembly were Speaker Woo Wonshik and Chief Secretary Cho Oseop, and from Gwangju, Mayor Kang Gijung, Yang Jaehyuk (President of the May 18 Democratic Merit Family Association), Cho Kyuyoun (President of the May 18 Democratic Movement Injured Association), Yoon Namsik (President of the May 18 Democratic Movement Contributors Association), Park Kangbae (Executive Director of the May 18 Memorial Foundation), Jung Youngil (Chairman of the Gwangju NGO Citizens Foundation), Monk Soun (President of the Gwangju Buddhist Association), Park Sanggyu (Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea), and Jung Seokyun (Senior Vice President of the Gwangju Christian Council).

Speaker Woo stated, "When the state of emergency martial law threatened our democracy, I was reminded of the martial law troops that trampled Gwangju in 1980, and I thought of the blood and tears of Gwangju. I believed the National Assembly, which had the authority to lift martial law, had to fulfill its role. Fortunately, the great people of Korea united their strength, and the National Assembly was able to respond to their will and overcome the crisis. Although Gwangju expresses gratitude to the Assembly, I would like to thank Gwangju on behalf of the National Assembly."

Speaker Woo continued, "The May Spirit of Gwangju nurtured our democracy, served as the foundation for a democratic society, and was succeeded by the June Struggle, the Candlelight Revolution, and now the Revolution of Light. Just as rice balls were shared in Gwangju in May 1980, beautiful scenes such as prepaid coffee in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido have emerged. This is the true Gwangju Spirit. Since democracy is proven through the lives of the people, I will not forget the inclusion of the May 18 Spirit in the preamble of the Constitution and will make sure it is achieved in the Assembly."

Mayor Kang Gijung said, "Watching the National Assembly break through the martial law forces and vote to lift martial law in a critical and grave situation, I once again felt that the Assembly is the last bastion of democracy, and the trust and respect of the people for the Assembly have grown. I felt reassured thanks to Speaker Woo Wonshik's wise leadership at the forefront."

Mayor Kang continued, "The torchlights of 1980 have become cheering sticks in 2024, and the sharing of rice balls has transformed into the spirit of prepaid giving. With Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature added to this, the Gwangju Spirit has grown even larger. While I am happy, I also feel the weight of Gwangju's responsibility has increased. There is still a long way to go, but I visited the Assembly to express my sincere gratitude."

Jung Youngil, Chairman of the Gwangju NGO Citizens Foundation, said, "Taking the Candlelight Revolution as a lesson, this time we must advance to a great social reform. I hope the Assembly will see this through to the end. Gwangju's civil society will unite and not rest until the Constitutional Court's ruling is delivered."

Yoon Namsik, President of the May 18 Democratic Movement Contributors Association, said, "The Assembly, centered around the Speaker, and Gwangju, centered around the Mayor, united firmly to resolve this situation. I earnestly request the inclusion of the May 18 Spirit in the preamble of the Constitution, which is our long-cherished wish."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.