Carrying Forward the Spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement... Restoring Constitutional Order Through Peace
Laying the Foundation for the Republic of Korea to Emerge as a Leading Democracy
Assemblyman Jung Jinwook of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gwangju Dongnam-gap) welcomed the nomination of the citizens of the Republic of Korea, who blocked the December 3 Martial Law and peacefully restored constitutional order, as candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying that this is "significant in that people around the world have jointly recognized the historic victory of democracy."
On the 18th, it was confirmed that prominent political scientists at home and abroad, including former and current presidents of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), recommended the citizens of the Republic of Korea who blocked the December 3 Martial Law as candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
President Lee Jaemyung also emphasized the historic significance of the peaceful restoration of democratic order, stating via a social media message regarding the news of the nomination of the people of the Republic of Korea for the Nobel Peace Prize that "this was possible because the Republic of Korea is a nation of great Korean people that will serve as a model in human history."
Assemblyman Jung said, "This Nobel Peace Prize nomination is all the more meaningful because it represents the international community's assessment of 'all citizens,' not of a specific individual or organization," and added, "The constitutional order we protected and our experience of peaceful control of power will remain an important asset as the Republic of Korea continues to move forward as a leading democracy."
Assemblyman Jung added, "The significance of this recognition is even more special in that the spirit of sacrifice and solidarity shown by citizens during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in 1980 has led to today's defense of peaceful democracy," and said, "This occasion has once again clearly demonstrated that Korean democracy stands upon the power of citizens, accumulated by overcoming hardship."
Finally, Assemblyman Jung stated, "Politicians must emulate the mature democratic consciousness of citizens and assume even greater responsibility in safeguarding constitutional values and reinforcing institutions."
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