Lee Juho's Address Omits Mention of Including May 18 Spirit in Constitution's Preamble
May 18 Foundation: "Ceremony Preparation Must Consider Perpetrators and Victims"
Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs: "Security Personnel Deployed at Usual Levels"
Lee Juho, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Education, is paying respects at the '45th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony' held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. 2025.5.18 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
The May 18 Memorial Foundation expressed regret on the 18th regarding the use of the "Song for the Dead Soldier" at the 45th anniversary May 18 Commemoration Ceremony.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs refuted the foundation's claims, stating that the song used for the moment of silence was specified in the "Government Protocol Manual," and that both the song and the level of security personnel were consistent with previous years.
In a press release issued that day, the May 18 Memorial Foundation stated, "The May 18 Democratic Movement was a righteous event in which citizens defended democracy with their lives against the murderous suppression by martial law forces in 1980. This year's ceremony used the 'Song for the Dead Soldier' during the moment of silence, and those assisting with the floral tribute were also uniformed soldiers (or police officers), which posed significant issues."
The foundation further emphasized, "The attire and equipment of the soldiers shown during the nationally televised ceremony were identical to those of the martial law troops dispatched to the National Assembly during the December 3 Martial Law Crisis last year. The perpetrators of the May 18 Democratic Movement were the martial law troops, that is, the military. When preparing 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 Juho's commemorative address contained nothing about resolving issues related to the May 18 Democratic Movement, such as 'including the May 18 spirit in the Constitution's preamble,' 'continuing efforts to uncover the truth,' 'enacting a commemorative project law,' or 'improving treatment for those recognized for their contributions.' The government must carefully consider who is being commemorated and clearly identify who the perpetrators and victims are when preparing the ceremony."
In response, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs also issued a press release that day, stating, "The song used for the moment of silence at the May 18 Commemoration Ceremony is the same piece used during the moment of silence at all government ceremonies as part of the national protocol."
The ministry explained, "The 'moment of silence song' at the 45th anniversary May 18 ceremony is specified in the government protocol manual and has been used during the moment of silence at the ceremony for the past five years. The floral tribute assistants were members of the National Imsil Patriots Cemetery ceremonial team and are civilians, not soldiers or police officers."
The ministry further clarified, "The personnel referred to as armed soldiers were security personnel assigned to protect key dignitaries. The level of security was also consistent with previous years."
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