Kang Gijeong: "The Spirit of May 18 Must Be Included in the Constitution Under the New Government"

45th Anniversary of the May 18 Memorial Ceremony at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery
"The Spirit of May 18, a Force for a Stronger Democracy"
"Taught Us the Courage to Stand Against the Martial Law Troops' Tanks and Guns on December 3"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong is paying respects to the May spirits at the 45th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement Memorial Ceremony held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery on the 17th. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong stated on the 17th, "We must confirm the victory of democracy through voting, and in the new democratic government, we must ensure the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble to the Constitution."

In his memorial address at the "45th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement Memorial Ceremony" held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery on this day, Mayor Kang said, "May 18 is both the long-standing future of the Republic of Korea and a guide for the direction we must take. The story of Gwangju, where people protected democracy by helping and sharing with each other even in the face of extreme isolation and the fear of death, is a force that can unite a divided Korea and make our shaken democracy stronger." He made these remarks accordingly.

Mayor Kang continued, "As martyr Yoon Sangwon once said, 'We may be defeated today, but the history of tomorrow will make us victors,' and over the past 45 years, we have written a history of victory. Korean democracy has been under constant attack, but in every moment of crisis, it was the power of ordinary citizens that prevailed. This was true in June 1987, when we achieved constitutional reform for direct presidential elections; in December 2016, when we punished the abuse of state power; and in April 2025, when we removed the leader of a rebellion from office," he emphasized.

He added, "I bow my head in gratitude to the May spirits who taught us the courage to stand in front of tanks with our bare bodies and to grab the guns of the martial law troops. Thanks to the citizens of Gwangju who endured the harsh ten days of May 1980, and thanks to everyone who has remembered and visited May 18 over the past 45 years, Gwangju has become a common noun and May 18 has become an ongoing reality," he expressed his gratitude.

Mayor Kang also said, "As we mark the 45th anniversary of May 18, we stand at the center of the journey toward a new democratic government. We will do what remains to be done, so that we are not ashamed before the May spirits who led us here. We will widely share and spread the story written in blood by the May spirits, and realize a better Republic of Korea and a stronger democracy, as the May spirits dreamed," he pledged.

The "45th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement Memorial Ceremony" was held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery on the morning of the 17th, organized by the May 18 Democratic Meritorious Family Association. The ceremony proceeded in the order of memorial addresses, recitation of memorial poems, singing of the "March for the Beloved," and laying of flowers and incense offerings.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong visited the graves of martyrs Yang Changgeun, Moon Jaehak, and Ahn Jongpil, who are buried at the National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery, along with Assemblyman Kim Sanguk on the 17th, and explained about the democratic world that "the boys" dreamed of. Provided by Gwangju City

After the memorial ceremony, Mayor Kang, together with Assemblyman Kim Sanguk, who recently left the People Power Party, paid respects at the graves of martyrs Yang Changgeun, Moon Jaehak, Ahn Jongpil, and Park Seongyong, who participated in the protests as high school students and died in May 1980, as well as at the second section of the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and the May 18 Old Cemetery (National Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery).

Mayor Kang explained the democratic world that "the boys" who died in May 1980 had dreamed of, and said, "Thanks to the countless democratic citizens from across the country who have visited and supported Gwangju, our city has been able to blossom as a city of democracy, human rights, and peace. I am grateful," he conveyed.

Meanwhile, the memorial ceremony was attended by Mayor Kang, Myung Changhwan, Vice Governor of Jeollanam-do, Shin Sujeong, Chairperson of the Gwangju City Council, Lee Jeongseon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, Kim Seokgi, Director of Gwangju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Assemblymen Kim Sanguk, Jeong Jinuk, and Jeong Junho, Yang Jaehyeok, President of the May 18 Democratic Meritorious Family Association, Yoon Namsik, President of the May 18 Democratic Movement Contributors Association, and Won Sunseok, Chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, among others.