Visit to May 18th Cemetery and Condolence for the Late Shin Sanggil
"Constitutional Court, Do Not Delay Any Further"
On the afternoon of the 18th, Lee Jae Myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, answered questions from reporters after paying respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized Choi Sangmok, Acting President (Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance), on the 18th, saying, "He lacks the qualities and qualifications to serve as acting president." On the same day, Lee visited Gwangju and paid his respects at the memorial altar of the late Shin Sanggil, a Democratic Party member who died after calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Sukyeol.
After visiting the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, Lee told reporters, "It is difficult to even comment on Acting President Choi Sangmok," adding, "It is contradictory to talk about upholding the constitution in one place while refusing to appoint a Constitutional Court justice as ordered by the Constitutional Court." He further pointed out, "By abusing the veto, they even blocked the bill to exclude the statute of limitations for state violence crimes," and warned, "This seems to indicate an intention to cover up state violence crimes. There will be consequences."
On the morning of the 18th, Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery to pay respects. Photo by Min Chanki
Lee also urged the Constitutional Court to deliver a swift ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon. He stated, "No more citizens should have to starve or die on the streets," and added, "I hope the Constitutional Court will quickly bring an end to the current turmoil."
In the afternoon, Lee visited the memorial altar for the late Shin Sanggil, a Democratic Party member from Buk-gu-eul, at the Gukbin Funeral Hall in Seo-gu, Gwangju. After a moment of silent tribute, he offered words of comfort to the bereaved family and party members. The day before, Lee wrote on his social media, "I will fully carry on your will," and bowed his head, saying, "This tragedy occurred because the people had to do what politics should have done."
The late Shin Sanggil was a respected elder who had devoted over 30 years to volunteer work in the local community, and the Democratic Party is honoring him as the head of the Gwangju City Party. Shin died of cardiac arrest during a one-man protest calling for the impeachment of President Yoon in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the 17th.
On the 18th, wreaths and condolence banners honoring the late Shin Sanggil were placed in front of the funeral hall at the State Guest House in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun
Meanwhile, at the request of the Democratic Party, police began providing personal protection for Lee from the afternoon of the same day. The police did not disclose the specific number of officers or the details of the protection measures, and the end date is yet to be determined. The Democratic Party had requested police protection on the 12th after receiving a tip that "former special forces agents were attempting to smuggle Russian pistols to assassinate Lee."
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