Gwangju Civic Society: "Purge Insurrectionists"
Cho Kyungtae: "Yoon Must Face the Harshest Legal Punishment"
Kang Gijeong: "A Starting Point for Building a New Society"
Kim Youngrok: "We Must Build an Advanced Democracy"
On the 3rd, at the 5.18 Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, the "Gwangju Community for the 1st Anniversary of the Revolution of Light, Wishing for the End of Treason and Foreign Exchange Crimes and Great Social Reform," composed of Gwangju City and civil society groups, held a press conference urging the punishment of treason forces and calling for great social reform. Photo by Min Chanki
On December 3, marking one year since the declaration of martial law, civic groups and political parties in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province called on the government to purge insurrectionist forces and carry out sweeping social reforms.
The Gwangju Community, which aspires to end insurrection and achieve great social reform, held a press conference at the 5·18 Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of December 3. They stated, "The insurrection is not over. The Lee Jaemyung administration must pursue relentless reform to end insurrection and foreign intervention and to build a new Republic of Korea."
About 250 people attended the press conference, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Gwangju city council members, civic groups affiliated with the Gwangju Citizens' Association, organizations related to the 5·18 Democratization Movement, and religious leaders.
The Gwangju Community pointed out, "Even as we approach one year since the declaration of martial law, no one has yet been convicted of insurrection. The court that previously overturned the detention of former President Yoon Sukyeol using an unlawful calculation that ignored existing precedents is now once again trying insurrection charges." They added, "Some prosecutors dispatched to the special investigation team have been deliberately sabotaging the process, and there are also instances of lenient investigations."
They continued, "The entrenched vested-interest cartel and undemocratic systems that led to the insurrection have still not changed. Despite this situation, the government born from the Revolution of Light and based on popular sovereignty is already intoxicated with power and wavering."
Mayor Kang also stated at the press conference, "The historic moments at midnight on the day martial law was declared, which showed the courage and communal spirit of Gwangju, along with scenes of citizens appealing to the National Assembly for participation, will remain in modern history.""Members of the Gwangju Community overcame the harsh winter and countless obstacles to defend the values of democracy. Now, we stand at the starting point for the complete eradication of insurrectionist forces and the construction of a new society," he said.
He further emphasized, "The balanced regional development and local economic recovery pursued by the Lee Jaemyung administration are at the core of this great transformation of society, and building a 'prosperous Gwangju' is one of its outcomes. I hope the Gwangju Community will encourage one another and walk this path together."
Father Cho Youngdae, who also attended the press conference, said, "It is frustrating that the results have not met our expectations. For a year, the people have spent time in frustration, and I wonder if the current administration is lacking in effort." He added, "I hope the Lee Jaemyung administration will root out those charged with insurrection and achieve sweeping social reform."
People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae is announcing the 'December 3 Gwangju Declaration' at the Gwangju City Council on the 3rd. Photo by Song Bohyun
Cho Kyungtae, the most senior lawmaker of the People Power Party (representing Saha-gu-eul, Busan), also held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council on the same day and announced the 'December 3 Gwangju Declaration.' Assemblyman Cho described the December 3 martial law incident last year as "an event blocked by the democratic spirit of Gwangju in 1980."
He said, "The noble blood shed by the democratic martyrs of Gwangju stopped the martial law imposed on December 3 last year. Gwangju saved the Republic of Korea from the pit of despair."
Assemblyman Cho stated, "Former President Yoon Sukyeol must be held accountable," and added, "The failure to properly punish the forces behind the Chun Doohwan coup led to former President Yoon Sukyeol's martial law." He continued, "The expectation that he would enjoy a peaceful retirement after a pardon and reinstatement was the backdrop for martial law. Those who trampled on constitutional order must be given the harshest punishment so that such forces can never take root again."
He defined this declaration as the starting point for the renewal of conservative politics. He said, "Without checks and balances, dictatorship takes root; without oversight, democracy collapses. I urge the citizens of Gwangju to hold the People Power Party, the core of conservatism, accountable so that it can be reborn as a healthy opposition force." He added, "Although the People Power Party is facing an existential crisis because of former President Yoon Sukyeol, if the citizens of Gwangju set us straight, we can once again become a healthy conservative party."
Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok held a press conference at the Jeonnam Provincial Government briefing room on the 3rd and announced the "December 3rd Illegal Martial Law Prevention 1st Anniversary Public Statement." Photo by Shim Jinseok
Kim Youngrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, also held a press conference in the briefing room of the provincial government office on the same day, emphasizing, "Based on the experience of blocking the attempted martial law on December 3 last year through the power of the citizens, let us build an unshakable advanced democracy."
He said, "The news of the martial law declaration that filled TV screens on that night a year ago was an unreal terror, hard to believe in the Republic of Korea of 2024. For South Jeolla Province, it was especially a moment when the nightmare of May 18 was revived."
Governor Kim recalled, "History repeats itself, but it also progresses. In 1980, we were alone, but 2024 was different. Citizens rushed into the streets in the middle of the night to block military vehicles with their bare bodies, and soldiers and police hesitated in the face of illegal orders. The National Assembly risked their lives to swiftly decide to lift martial law."
He stated, "The people of South Jeolla Province stood in solidarity on the streets and squares, from Namtaeryeong to Gwanghwamun, to complete the 'Revolution of Light.' That dedication gave birth to a government based on popular sovereignty."
The Gwangju City Chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea also issued a statement the previous day, saying, "Insurrectionist forces must be punished without exception," and "It was a clear act of insurrection to mobilize the military and police to take over the National Assembly. It was a grave attack on Korean democracy," they criticized.
They continued, "Now is the time for action, not debate. There must be a dedicated court for insurrection cases and a second comprehensive special prosecutor. The three ongoing special investigations have yet to resolve key suspicions, including lobbying related to the death of a Marine, the actual planning structure behind the December 3 illegal martial law, and the Kim Keonhee corruption case, even as their deadlines approach. A comprehensive special prosecutor is absolutely necessary," they stated.
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