City Holds 65th Anniversary Ceremony of the April 19 Revolution at Gwangju Technical High School
"Spirit of April 19 and May 18, Kissesdan Carries On Amidst Impeachment Crisis"
Kang Gijeong, mayor of Gwangju, attended the '65th Anniversary of the April 19 Revolution Commemoration Ceremony' held on the morning of the 19th at Gwangju Meister High School and Gwangju Technical High School in Buk-gu, and delivered a commemorative speech. Provided by Gwangju City
On April 19, Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong attended the '65th Anniversary of the April 19 Revolution Commemoration Ceremony' held at Gwangju Technical High School, where he referenced the spirit of the April 19 Revolution as enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, and once again emphasized the importance of including the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the constitutional preamble.
Mayor Kang stated, "The April 19 Revolution is proudly recorded in the preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, serving as a compass that upholds the values and principles of the Constitution. We must nurture and fulfill the spirit of the April 19 Revolution. That means enshrining the spirit of May 18 in the constitutional preamble and carrying on the Gwangju spirit."
He continued, "The 65th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution, which comes at a time when we have blocked martial law, crossed the river of impeachment, and are on the threshold of establishing a new democratic government, is truly a joyful day. I sincerely hope that the spirit of May 18 will be included in the constitutional preamble in next year's local elections."
He added, "Sixty-five years ago, students from Gwangju Technical High School gathered on Geumnam-ro and stood at the heart of the April 19 Revolution. Those boys and girls became Dongho in May 1980, and today, in times of martial law and impeachment, they have become the Kissesdan, holding light sticks and shining a light. In this way, many boys and girls are carrying on the spirit of April 19 today. The Republic of Korea as it stands today has been built on their sacrifice, dedication, and participation. Next year as well, we will honor the spirit of April 19 on the campus of revolution where the future generation is present."
Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong is laying flowers and incense at the April 19 Revolution Memorial Tower in Gwangju Park, Dong-gu, on the morning of the 19th, the 65th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution. Photo by Gwangju City
Before attending the ceremony, Mayor Kang laid flowers and incense at the April 19 Revolution Memorial Tower in Gwangju Park to honor the victims. The tribute was attended by more than 30 people, including Mayor Kang, Gwangju City Council Chairperson Shin Sujeong, Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Lee Jeongseon, Gwangju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Director Kim Seokgi, lawmakers Yang Bunam, Cho Incheol, and Park Gyuntaek, as well as heads of April 19 public organizations.
Gwangju is one of the three cities (Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju) where police opened fire during the April 19 Revolution, and the city holds a commemoration ceremony every year. Since last year, at Mayor Kang's suggestion, the ceremony has been held in rotation at high schools that participated in the protests at the time, to ensure that the spirit of April 19 is not fossilized but is fully passed on to the next generation, thereby adding significance to the venue.
The slogan for this year's ceremony, "See the souls ignited in the streets," was quoted from poet Yun Humyeong's poem "Witnesses of History, See the Power of April 19," in honor of those who led the April 19 Revolution.
The ceremony featured a reenactment of Gwangju Technical High School students jumping over the fence and running out 65 years ago, as well as a poetry reading by poet Yun Humyeong. This was followed by a performance by the Gwangju street dance team 'Rebound', symbolizing the resolve to become a burning soul like those who led the revolution, breaking through the darkness.
This year's ceremony drew attention as Ko Jongchae, head of the Gwangju branch of the April 19 Democratic Revolution Association and a key figure in the April 19 Revolution of 1960, took the stage together with Gwangju Technical High School students Yoo Minsang, Kim Ayoung, Park Yuyeon, and Kim Junghyeok to read the "April 19 Spirit Succession Resolution," symbolizing the passing of the spirit from past to future.
Meanwhile, at the ceremony, commendation plaques were awarded to Ko Sangsook, Kim Seongdae, Kim Taegyun, Kim Taeyoung, Min Eunsik, Lee Eunae, Jeong Eunsook, and Choi Changho, who were recognized for their contributions to promoting the spirit of the April 19 Revolution. In addition, the Gwangju City Boys and Girls Choir performed "Evergreen Tree," and the Gwangju City Choir performed "To Tomorrow."
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