Woo Wonshik: "We Will Strengthen Democracy by Including the Spirit of May in the Constitution's Preamble"

Visit to Gwangju May 18th Democratic Cemetery
Speaker Woo plants commemorative tree and calls for unity

On May 16, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik stated at the Gwangju National May 18th Democratic Cemetery, "We will strengthen South Korean democracy by including the spirit of May in the preamble of the Constitution."

According to the Speaker's office, Speaker Woo left this message in the guestbook during his visit to the Gwangju National May 18th Democratic Cemetery, two days before the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

Speaker Woo paid his respects at the grave of Park Geumhee, who died after being shot by martial law troops while returning from donating blood at Gwangju Christian Hospital as a student at Jeonnam Girls' Commercial High School. He also became the first National Assembly Speaker to plant a commemorative tree at the May 18th Democratic Cemetery, emphasizing messages of harmony and unity.

Yonhap News Agency

He also visited the National Trauma Healing Center and held a luncheon meeting with the self-help group for victims of sexual violence during the May 18th Democratic Uprising.

At Chonnam National University, he received an honorary doctorate in philosophy and met with Ok Hyunjin, the Archbishop of the Gwangju Catholic Archdiocese, who led the national mass during the December 3 Martial Law Incident.

Speaker Woo is scheduled to attend the March for Democracy and Peace and the eve festival for the May 18 Democratic Uprising on May 17, and the commemorative ceremony for the May 18 Democratic Uprising on May 18.