The 45th Anniversary Ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement Held on the 16th
Reflecting on the "May Spirit" Amid a Crisis of Democracy
Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok delivers a memorial speech at the "Ah! May, May Reunited" themed "Jeonnam 5·18 Democratization Movement 45th Anniversary Ceremony" held in the square in front of the Jeonnam Provincial Office on the morning of the 16th. Provided by Jeonnam Province
On May 16, Jeollanam-do held the 45th Jeollanam-do 5·18 Democratization Movement Anniversary Ceremony in the square in front of the Kim Youngrang Gate at the Provincial Government Office, reflecting on the value of the "May Spirit" that emerged during a crisis of democracy.
The ceremony was held under the slogan "Ah! May, May Reunited," and was attended by more than 400 people, including Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok, 5·18 merit awardees and bereaved families, National Assembly members Joo Cheolhyeon, Park Jiweon, Kwon Hyangyeop, Seo Mihwa, Jeon Jongdeok, Jeollanam-do Provincial Council Chairman Kim Taegyun, and Jeollanam-do Superintendent of Education Kim Daejung.
The event featured a commemorative performance by the Jeonnam 5·18 Orchestra before the official ceremony, followed by a wreath-laying and memorial speech, a memorial performance themed on the 12·3 Martial Law Incident and Han Kang's novel "Human Acts," which won the Nobel Prize in Literature, and concluded with the singing of "March for the Beloved."
Lee Dalyeon, head of the Honam branch of the 5·18 Democratization Movement Injured Association, said, "I hope the achievements of the citizen army, who were active in cities and counties such as Mokpo, Naju, Yeongam, and Haenam outside of Gwangju, will be widely publicized."
Governor Kim stated, "In May 1980, the people of Jeollanam-do rushed to Gwangju upon hearing that Gwangju citizens were dying. They could not tolerate injustice and rose up to defend the democracy of May." He emphasized, "Democracy is never simply given; it can only be protected by the awakened conscience of ordinary people, by actions rather than words, and by resistance rather than silence."
He continued, "We will establish the Jeonnam 5·18 Community Center to pass on the great May Spirit to future generations and will devote ourselves to honoring the merit awardees and bereaved families." He added, "We will enshrine the noble spirit of 5·18 in the preamble of the Constitution and set history and justice right by fully uncovering the concealed and distorted truth of 5·18."
As part of the 45th anniversary events, the Namdo May Cultural Festival will be held on May 17 in the square at Mokpo Station, along with a variety of citizen-participation events such as an academic forum, a photo contest, and a democratic citizen history tour.
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