Kang Gijung: "Jeju and Gwangju, Toward a Stronger Democracy"

Attendance at the 4.3 Memorial Ceremony
Offering Flowers and Incense
Consoling the Bereaved Families

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the '77th Anniversary 4.3 Victims Memorial Ceremony' held at Jeju 4.3 Peace Park on the morning of the 3rd and comforted Yang Duyeong, the daughter of the late 4.3 victim Yang Cheonjong. Provided by Gwangju City

The 5.18 and 4.3 events, connected by Nobel Literature Prize laureate Han Kang, are now walking the path of peace and solidarity together.

On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the 4.3 Victims Memorial Day, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung stated, "Gwangju and Jeju both have histories of pain caused by state violence, and writer Han Kang has once again linked 5.18 and 4.3," adding, "Let us move forward together toward a stronger democracy and a new Korea through the proper naming and thorough truth-finding regarding 4.3."

Mayor Kang emphasized, "5.18 has gained universality as a symbol of human rights and peace thanks to those who love democracy joining hands. As many have helped Gwangju blossom into a city of democracy through peace solidarity, it is now time for Gwangju to return that gratitude, and this can be realized through peace solidarity with 4.3."

He continued, "I express deep respect for the efforts of the bereaved families who have built the Jeju community after overcoming the tragic pain of 4.3. Even after 77 years, 4.3 still lacks a name, and the pain of surviving victims continues. Proper naming through activities such as truth-finding and UNESCO Memory of the World registration is absolutely necessary, and Gwangju will join in these efforts."

At 10 a.m. that day, Mayor Kang attended the "77th Anniversary 4.3 Victims Memorial Ceremony" held at Jeju 4.3 Peace Park under the theme "The Breath of 4.3 Becomes History, the Wave of Peace Spreads to the World," where he offered condolences to the bereaved families and participated in the flower-laying and incense-burning ceremonies.

Before the memorial ceremony, Mayor Kang met with surviving victims, including Yang Duyoung, the daughter of the late Yang Cheonjong, a 4.3 victim, to express his deepest condolences. The remains of the late Yang Cheonjong were returned to his family after being discovered at the former site of Gwangju Prison after more than 75 years.

During his two-day visit to Jeju, Mayor Kang held the "4.3 and 5.18 Gwangju↔Jeju Solidarity Meeting Connected by Han Kang" at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Memorial Hall Bereaved Families Association office on the first day, April 2, to discuss "strategies for peace solidarity."

At the meeting, the following topics were discussed: ▲Promotion of mutual exchange of historical sites featured in Han Kang's novels "Human Acts" and "I Do Not Bid Farewell" ▲Joint response to strengthen national support and responsibility for state violence, such as full government funding for the National Trauma Healing Center ▲Joint response to distortion and disparagement of 5.18 and 4.3 ▲Measures to promote exchanges, including invitations to the 45th anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Mayor Kang stated, "May Gwangju must be a city that reaches out first to those who have taken the hand of 5.18 and to those in pain and shadow," adding, "The 45th anniversary of 5.18 will be a turning point for Korea to move toward a stronger democracy. Gwangju will firmly establish the foundation of peace solidarity with Jeju and move forward step by step together with 4.3."