Gwangju Civic Groups Urge Lee Jaemyung to Accept Demands for Sweeping Social Reform

The "Emergency Action for National Purge and Social Reform in Gwangju" held a press conference on the morning of the 13th in front of the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

Civil society organizations in Gwangju have called on Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, to accept demands for sweeping social reforms as a prerequisite for ending insurrection and building a new Republic of Korea, ahead of the 21st presidential election.

The "Emergency Action for National Purge and Social Reform in Gwangju" held a press conference on the morning of the 13th in front of the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, stating, "This presidential election must be a time of intense search for a nation where insurrectionist forces are purged, the people become the true sovereign, and the country moves toward a world of equality and peace, as well as a Korea of coexistence and solidarity."

They pointed out, "The Democratic Party has not responded to the agreements demanded by labor, farmers, and civic groups, and remains silent even when asked about its stance on major bills and issues," adding, "The goal of democracy is not an overwhelming change of government, but the reflection of the voices of citizens who have defended the public square."

They further expressed concern, saying, "We worry that candidate Lee Jaemyung may be overly focused solely on regime change," and criticized, "His promises for reform remain abstract and ambiguous."

They also emphasized, "What the people desire is not just a simple change of government, but a new nation. The demands of the citizens in the public square must be heard," adding, "In April, citizens of Gwangju formulated demands for sweeping social reforms aimed at eradicating deep-rooted evils and building a Korea where the state fundamentally guarantees the dignity of its people. We urge candidate Lee Jaemyung to actively accept these demands by personally entering into a political agreement with the citizens."