Visiting the May 18th Cemetery and Paying Respects, Then Attending Emergency Action Rally
"Democracy Is Collapsing... The Chaos Must End as Soon as Possible"
On the afternoon of the 18th, at the 5·18 Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, Lee Jae Myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Gwangju citizens' rally demanding the immediate dismissal of Yoon Seok Yeol and encouraged the lawmakers who were on a hunger strike. Photo by Yonhap News
Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Gwangju on the 18th and urged the Constitutional Court to deliver a swift ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Sukyeol. He stated, "The economy, people's livelihoods, and democracy are all collapsing," and added, "The Constitutional Court must end this chaos as soon as possible."
That afternoon, Lee visited the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, and wrote in the guestbook, "A world where we live together, I will complete the revolution of light with the spirit of May." After paying his respects, he told reporters, "Everything?economy, security, peace, people's livelihoods, and democracy?is being destroyed, and every day counts," adding, "If the Constitutional Court can end this chaos and crisis even an hour or a minute sooner, it must do so as quickly as possible."
He said, "The May 18th Cemetery is a space that connects the past and the present," and added, "The failure to hold people accountable is now returning as the voices of those who defend military coups." He continued, "I came to Gwangju suddenly due to a party member's passing," and said, "Just as the writer Han Kang expressed in her work, 'the past helps the present' and 'the dead save the living,' the May 18th Cemetery is also a spiritual space connecting the past and the present."
Representative Lee Jae Myung visited the National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 18th to pay tribute and lay flowers at four graves, including the late Moon Jae Hak's grave, which inspired writer Han Kang's work "The Boy Is Coming." Photo by Min Chanki
He also made remarks targeting the family of former President Chun Doohwan. Lee said, "Chun Doohwan's former son-in-law is roaming the streets defending the military coup and calling for the mastermind of the military rebellion not to be punished," and added, "Chun Doohwan's son is also defending the military coup, making nonsensical remarks about student soldiers and volunteer soldiers. This is all because they were not held strictly accountable."
Regarding Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Lee criticized, "He is not qualified or competent to serve as acting president," and added, "He is recklessly abusing his veto power." He continued, "Blocking the law to exclude the statute of limitations on state violence crimes is unacceptable," and warned, "If you abuse the power given to you, you will inevitably face consequences." He further urged, "The people and history will surely hold you accountable," and "Appoint Ma Eunhyeok as Constitutional Court Justice immediately."
Lee also paid respects at the funeral hall in Seogu, Gwangju, for the late Shin Sanggil. Wreaths sent by Democratic Party lawmakers, including National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, were placed at the funeral. Afterward, he met with city and district council members from the Democratic Party's Gwangju chapter, who are staging a hunger strike at May 18th Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, demanding the dismissal of President Yoon and the resignation of Prosecutor General Shim Ujeong. When news of Lee's visit to the protest site spread, some citizens nearby chanted "Lee Jaemyung." He also attended the Gwangju Emergency Action Rally calling for the immediate dismissal of Yoon Sukyeol.
Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and citizens of Gwangju attending the rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon held on the 18th at 5·18 Democracy Square in Geumnamro, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki
Meanwhile, police began providing personal protection for Lee at the request of the Democratic Party starting that day. The Democratic Party announced on the 12th, "We received a tip that former special forces agents are plotting to assassinate Lee." Police did not disclose the number of personnel or the methods of protection.
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