Kang Gijeong: "Stronger Democracy Through Inclusion of the May 18 Spirit in the Constitution"

Memorial Address at the 45th May 18 Revival Festival
Honoring the "May Spirits" Who Perished at the Former Provincial Government Building
"May Martyrs Saved Today's Republic of Korea"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is attending the 45th Anniversary May 18 Democratic Uprising Memorial Revival Ceremony held at May 18 Democratic Square on the 27th afternoon and delivering a memorial address. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the "45th Anniversary May 18 Revival Festival" held at May 18 Democratic Square at 6 p.m. on the 27th, stating, "Thanks to the legacy left by the May martyrs, yesterday's Gwangju was able to save today's Republic of Korea." He emphasized, "Now, the May martyrs will be fully revived as a new Republic of Korea, and the spirit of May will grow into a global spirit through the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the Constitution."

In his memorial address that day, Mayor Kang said, "May 27, 45 years ago, was also a Tuesday like today. On the same day, at the same place, we honor the spirit of the martyrs who have come back to life." He added, "Here, as we remember the May martyrs who endured the deadly dawn 45 years ago, we reaffirm our resolute determination to include the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the Constitution, which remains our task."

He continued, "I think of the solemnity of the May martyrs who defended Gwangju until the very end, during the darkest dawn just before daybreak. I stand face to face with the May martyrs such as Ahn Jongpil, Moon Jaehak, Kim Dongsu, and Yoon Sangwon, who defended the provincial government building. I also remember the martyrs who perished near the provincial government building and the countless martyrs who remain unidentified to this day," commemorating the souls who sacrificed their lives for democracy.

Mayor Kang also stated, "Thanks to the many people who have fought to protect the values of freedom and democracy, the May martyrs have been revived and remain with us as a history of victory." He emphasized, "It is also because the May martyrs have transcended death and are with us that, through writer Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, Gwangju and May 18 could become even more recognized worldwide."

Mayor Kang declared, "Even in the process of blocking martial law and overcoming impeachment, the May martyrs have lived on passionately in our hearts." He added, "Together with the May martyrs, we will move toward a stronger democracy and a new Republic of Korea that will never collapse again."

Meanwhile, the event was attended by Mayor Kang Gijeong, Yoon Namsik, President of the May 18 Merit Association, Kim Seokgi, Head of the Gwangju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and others. The "May 18 Revival Festival" has been held annually since 1984 to honor and carry on the spirit and values of the May spirits who sacrificed their lives resisting state violence to protect democracy and human rights during the May 18 Democratic Uprising.