May 18 Foundation Expresses Regret Over Use of "Song for the Dead Soldier" at Commemoration Ceremony

Lee Jooho's Address Omits Mention of Including in the Constitution's Preamble
"Government Must Consider Perpetrators and Victims When Preparing the Ceremony"

The May 18 Memorial Foundation expressed regret on the 18th over the use of "Song for the Dead Soldier" during the 45th anniversary May 18 commemoration ceremony.

In a statement released on this day, the May 18 Memorial Foundation said, "The May 18 Democratization Movement was a righteous event in which citizens defended democracy with their lives against the murderous suppression by martial law troops in 1980." The foundation continued, "At this year's ceremony, 'Song for the Dead Soldier' was played during the moment of silence, and the assistants for the flower-laying were also uniformed soldiers (or police officers), which posed significant issues."

The foundation further stated, "The attire and equipment of the soldiers shown during the ceremony, which was broadcast nationwide on television, were identical to those of the martial law troops dispatched to the National Assembly during the December 3 Martial Law Emergency last year." The foundation emphasized, "The perpetrators of the May 18 Democratization Movement were the martial law troops, that is, the military. When preparing for the ceremony, the government should have considered why this event occurred, who the perpetrators were, and who the victims were."

The foundation added, "Acting President Lee Jooho's commemorative address contained no mention of any measures to address the May 18 Democratization Movement, such as 'including the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the Constitution,' 'continuing the truth-finding efforts,' 'enacting a commemorative project law,' or 'improving the treatment of those recognized for their contributions.' The government must carefully consider who is being commemorated, who the perpetrators are, and who the victims are when preparing the ceremony."