Gwangju Democratic Party Branch to Play "Songs of May" Instead of Election Campaign Song on the 18th

Using "March for the Beloved" and "Gwangju Departure Song" on Campaign Vehicles
"A Campaign Site That Resonates with Citizens by Embracing the Spirit of May"

On May 18, the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the election campaign song of the Democratic Party of Korea is not expected to be played. This is because the party has decided to focus on messages of remembrance and commemoration rather than campaign promotion.

The Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party announced on May 17 that, for the entire day of May 18, which marks the anniversary of the democratization movement, they will honor the spirits of May and uphold the spirit of the movement. Instead of the campaign song, they will use "March for the Beloved" and "Gwangju Departure Song" at major events and on promotional vehicles.

A representative of the party's Gwangju branch explained, "While election campaigning is important, this is the first presidential election to be held during the May 18 Democratization Movement memorial period. Therefore, we have decided to show respect for 'the past that helped the present, and the dead who saved the living.'"

This measure is expected to encourage citizens to reflect on the meaning of May, rather than allowing the anniversary to become noisy or diluted by election campaigning.

Yang Bunam, head of the Gwangju election campaign committee, stated, "This decision is connected to the question posed by author Han Kang, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature for a novel about the May Uprising: 'Can the past help the present? Can the dead save the living?' It is also in line with the National Assembly speech by candidate Lee Jaemyung, who cited this question."

Candidate Lee Jaemyung, in his speech as the leader of the parliamentary negotiation group on February 10, stated, "Just as the dead saved the living, and the painful memories of the military coup helped save today's Republic of Korea, in 2025, our people will save our future."

Yang emphasized, "The spirits of May 18, who are now deceased, saved us when we faced the 12·3 Martial Law. We will repay the noble sacrifice of the spirits of May by restoring constitutional order through victory in the election."

Meanwhile, this measure is being regarded as a new political initiative that both continues the historical significance and spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement through solemn election campaigning, and also fosters emotional resonance with citizens.