Kim Moonsoo Cancels Visit to Memorial for Lee Sejong, First Victim of the 5.18 Democratization Movement

Jeonbuk 5.18 Committee Opposes Kim's Memorial Visit

Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, has decided to cancel his planned visit to the memorial stone for Lee Sejong, the first victim of the 5·18 Democratization Movement.

According to the People Power Party on May 16, Kim had originally planned to visit the memorial stone for Lee Sejong, located at Chonbuk National University, during his visit to North Jeolla Province on May 17. However, he canceled this plan and decided instead to extend his campaign event at Jeonju Hanok Village.

The 45th Anniversary 5·18 Uprising Commemoration North Jeolla Provincial Committee issued a press release opposing Kim's visit as soon as the schedule became public.

The committee stated, "Lee Sejong's death symbolizes the people's aspiration for democracy and their spirit of resistance," and criticized, "Kim's attempt to pay respects at his memorial stone is an act that desecrates that spirit."

The committee further criticized, "Kim previously appointed, and then withdrew, former Defense Minister Chung Hoyong, who was a commanding officer of the martial law troops, as a senior advisor to his campaign. He has also faced criticism for remarks denying the Constitutional Court's ruling to remove former President Yoon Sukyeol from office."

In response, the People Power Party announced a revised schedule, removing the visit to Lee Sejong's memorial stone and instead extending the campaign event at Jeonju Hanok Village.

Yonhap News Agency

Earlier that day, Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate, visited the memorial stone for Lee Sejong to pay his respects. Before the visit, Lee told reporters, "The public does not remember Lee Sejong, the first victim who died resisting those who tried to use weapons entrusted by the people to kill the people themselves. Every time I come to Jeonju, I stop by to reflect and remember."

Lee Sejong, who was a sophomore in the College of Agriculture at Chonbuk National University, was found dead on the floor of the student union building at dawn on May 18, 1980, after martial law troops entered the campus. He had been participating in a sit-in protest the previous day, demanding the resignation of Chun Doohwan and the lifting of martial law.

At the time, the military authorities claimed that Lee had climbed to the roof to escape and fell while hanging from a security light. For many years, Lee was only recognized as a merit recipient related to the 5·18 incident.

However, the 5·18 Fact-Finding Committee determined that Lee had already sustained serious injuries from being beaten by martial law troops before his fall. In 2023, 44 years later, he was officially recognized as the first victim of the 5·18 Democratization Movement.