Jang Donghyuk to Pay Respects at Gwangju May 18 Democratic Cemetery
"Spirit of May 18 Democracy and Industrialization... The Great Pillars"
Despite opposition from civic groups in Gwangju, People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk will visit Gwangju on the afternoon of the 6th. Jang stated, "The People Power Party will sincerely walk alongside Honam so that the spirit of May becomes the pride of Korea and a source of historical confidence."
People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News
Before his visit to Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jang announced at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that he plans to pay his respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju, saying, "I will bow my head before the spirits of May who sacrificed themselves for democracy."
Jang explained, "The establishment of the May 18 Democratic Cemetery and the enactment of the May 18 Special Act were achieved through the great decision of President Kim Youngsam during the era of the New Korea Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party," adding, "Our party's platform clearly states that we inherit both the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement and the spirit of industrialization."
He continued, "I firmly believe that these two spirits are the two great pillars supporting Korea," and added, "Today, our steps will become a new milestone toward genuine harmony and national unity. We will give our utmost sincerity."
According to the People Power Party, Jang will first pay tribute at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju, honoring the sacrifice and dedication of the democratic martyrs. He plans to commemorate Gwangju's noble spirit, which contributed to the advancement of democracy, and seek appropriate ways to honor it.
Afterward, he will visit the site of a large shopping mall in Buk-gu, Gwangju, to check the progress of construction and listen to local residents' suggestions regarding the installation of a future-oriented, top-tier cultural complex facility.
He also plans to visit the Gwangju AI Data Center to discuss institutional and policy measures to support Gwangju in becoming a key hub for the development of Korea's artificial intelligence industry.
The People Power Party stated, "Jang plans to personally visit the Honam region at least once a month during his term to listen to local public opinion," adding, "The People Power Party will continue to play a leading role in the future development of Honam, vigorously promoting 'national unity' and 'progress for Honam' initiatives."
Civic groups in the Gwangju region strongly opposed Jang's planned visit after it became public.
The May 18 People's Uprising Mobile Strike Unit Alumni Association, the Civic Group Council, and 81 other civic groups in Gwangju released a statement the previous day, demanding, "Jang Donghyuk, who has disparaged May 18 and defended the military rebellion, must apologize," and criticizing, "His statements and actions so far have been politics of division, heavily skewed toward extreme ideology."
They further emphasized, "Jang, as a presiding judge in the defamation trial of Chun Doohwan, effectively delayed the trial by allowing Chun's absence, and called for the dismissal of the impeachment against Yoon Sukyeol, the main culprit of the rebellion."
The Gwangju Progressive Solidarity also issued a statement on the same day, declaring, "We reject Jang's visit to the May 18 Democratic Cemetery," and denouncing it as "a shallow attempt to politically exploit May 18."
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