President Yoon Suk Yeol on May 18 said, "The spirit of May is a restoration of universal values and equals the liberal democratic spirit of the Constitution," adding, "That spirit belongs to all of us as a precious national asset."
Attending from 10 a.m. a memorial ceremony for the 42nd anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement at the May 18 National Cemetery in Gwangju's Buk-gu District, he said, "We remember the protests of May 42 years ago, when the values of liberal democracy and human rights were defended with blood."
From May 18-27 in 1980, the May 18 movement was a civic uprising in and around Gwangju and Jeollanam-do Province in which citizens demanded the establishment of a democratic government, resignation of the military regime and abolition of martial law. On May 9, 1997, May 18 was designated a day of remembrance for the movement to pass on its fundamental spirit based on democracy, human rights and peace.
"The spirit of May that defended our liberal democracy with blood is the cornerstone of national unity," the president said in his commemorative speech. "Let's work together so that the power of justice and truth embraced by May can shine forever beyond eras."
"On top of universal values, Gwangju and Honam (a region covering the provinces of Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do) must see the blossoming of bold economic prosperity," he added. "We will do our best to sublimate the values defended by the souls of democracy to travel on the path of prosperity."
Attending his first ceremony after his inauguration, the chief executive traveled to Gwangju on the high-speed train KTX for the ceremony. He was accompanied by Cabinet ministers and senior secretaries from the presidential office.
On the president's suggestion, 100 lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party and another 100 from the opposition Democratic Party of Korea and Justice Party attended the ceremony.
Under the theme '"Here's to a New May (unofficial translation)," the ceremony stressed the creation of "a May of hope" by cultivating the seeds of democracy sown starting in Gwangju.
The 55-minute event featured the laying of wreaths, memorial performances and commemorative speeches with over 2,000 people attending, including figures of merit related to the movement, families of the victims and government officials.
President Yoon Suk Yeol on the morning of May 18 pays his respects at the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju's Buk-gu District in the memorial ceremony for the 42nd anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.
