Lee Yong-seop "Best Efforts for Globalization of May 18 Based on the Spirit of April 19"

Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the April 19 Revolution with a Memorial Visit

Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, visited the 4·19 Memorial Monument in Gwangju Park, Nam-gu, on the morning of the 19th, the 60th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution, to lay flowers and offer incense. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] On the 19th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, paid tribute at the 4·19 Memorial Monument in Gwangju Park along with representatives of the 4·19 organizations, including Kim Jeong-sun, head of the Gwangju-Jeolla branch of the 4·19 Revolution Victims' Families Association, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution.

The mayor stated, "The noble value of the April 19 Revolution, which inherited the spirit of the March 1st Independence Movement and the Gwangju Student Independence Movement, became a great milestone for democracy, and it laid the foundation for today's Republic of Korea by leading to the May 18 Democratic Movement, the June Struggle, and the Candlelight Revolution."

He continued, "It is regrettable that due to COVID-19, we cannot hold the commemorative ceremony together with the citizens," adding, "Sixty years ago, we stood up against dictatorship and injustice to protect justice, and now we are putting all our efforts into protecting the lives and safety of the people against the global pandemic COVID-19."

In particular, he emphasized, "Whenever the country faced difficulties, the righteous citizens of Gwangju, a city of justice, followed the spirit of the times and the greater good through self-sacrifice to turn the tide of history in the right direction. Even now, they are leading the way in overcoming national crises by practicing the Gwangju spirit of sharing and solidarity."

He also mentioned, "This year marks the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, which is based on the spirit of the April 19 Revolution," and said, "We will do our best to develop May 18 in Gwangju into May 18 of the world and May 18 of the future through various means such as online platforms."

Furthermore, he added, "We have wisely overcome even more difficult and challenging times than now," and said, "I hope that the 61st anniversary ceremony of the April 19 Revolution next year will be a meaningful event where many citizens honor the spirit of April 19?freedom, democracy, and justice."

Meanwhile, prior to paying tribute at the memorial monument on the same day, Mayor Lee Yong-seop awarded commendations to eight individuals recognized for their contributions to inheriting the spirit of the April 19 Revolution on its 60th anniversary. The recipients included Jeong Gi-cheol, academic director of the Honam 4·19 Revolution Organizations Federation; directors Lim Gil-su and Lee Young-hee; member Jeong Chan; Secretary General Kim Young-gwang; Executive Director Yoo Pyo-geun; Kim Gi-il, director of the 4·19 Cultural Center; and Jeon Byeong-yeol, co-chairman of the 4·19 Democratic Revolution Memorial Project Association.

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