5·18 40th Anniversary Project Jointly Promoted by Gwangju and Seoul Cities

Video Conference for Business Agreement to Join 'Pause' to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 9th that it will jointly promote the ‘40th Anniversary Commemoration Project of the May 18 Democratic Uprising’ with Seoul Metropolitan City.

The plan is to commemorate the May 18 Democratic Uprising, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, and to jointly highlight the history of the nationwide democratization movement on this occasion, spreading its meaning and spirit to the world.

On the morning of the 9th, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon signed the ‘40th Anniversary Commemoration Project of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Gwangju Metropolitan City-Seoul Metropolitan City Joint Hosting Business Agreement’ via video conference between the video conference rooms of Gwangju City Hall and Seoul City Hall.

This is the first time that Gwangju and Seoul have jointly promoted the May 18 Democratic Uprising commemoration project, and it is expected to greatly contribute to the nationalization and globalization of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

Through the agreement, Gwangju and Seoul have designated the week including May 18 as Democracy and Human Rights Week (May 12?18) and will hold the 40th anniversary commemorative events.

In the area around Seoul City Hall and Seoul Plaza, events such as the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Concert, International Conference, Seoul Spring Live Concert, and National Conference on Declaration of Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace Cities will be held.

Additionally, the ‘May 18 Democratic Uprising 40th Anniversary Special Exhibition’ will be held in both cities, touring the Seoul Metropolitan Archives and Gwangju City Hall. The ‘Gwangju Biennale May 18 Special Exhibition,’ which reconstructs works from past Gwangju Biennales and allows visitors to see works by domestic and international artists in one place, will also be held in Seoul.

Furthermore, cultural and artistic performances such as literature, dance, theater, and film reflecting the meaning of May 18 will be showcased in both cities. In particular, excellent policies related to democracy, human rights, and peace from both cities will be mutually exchanged and introduced.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the video signing ceremony was held instead of an in-person event, in line with Seoul’s proposal and the participation of all local governments in the two-week ‘Pause (Social Distancing)’ campaign.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said, “Seoul has inherited the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising and has implemented city governance where citizens are the true owners, based on the democratic value that ‘the citizen is the mayor.’ I hope this agreement will contribute to the nationalization and globalization of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.” He added, “As a city leading democracy, human rights, and peace, Seoul will do its part to elevate the May 18 Democratic Uprising beyond a history of past oppression and sacrifice to a future value of reconciliation and coexistence.”

Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, “On the occasion of the 40th anniversary this year, we are making every effort to ensure that the May 18 Democratic Uprising does not remain in the resentment and anger of the past or in Gwangju’s history, but becomes a festival of victory, celebration, harmony, and integration that people around the world can join.” He added, “Especially with Seoul jointly promoting the commemoration project, a good opportunity has been created to develop May 18 in Gwangju into May 18 for the world, and May 18 of the past into May 18 of the future.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.