"Actively Encouraging Community Participation in the 5·18 Local Holiday"

Mayor Lee Yong-seop to Announce Statement on the 8th... Recommendation for Institutions, Organizations, and Businesses to Close or Suspend Operations

On the morning of the 8th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, delivered a statement at the city hall briefing room actively encouraging various institutions, organizations, and companies to participate in the May 18 local holiday. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] “We strongly encourage the local community to actively participate in the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, designated as a local public holiday.”

Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, issued a statement on the morning of the 8th at the city hall briefing room, appealing to various institutions, organizations, and companies to join in taking a day off or closing their operations.

Mayor Lee first expressed deep condolences to the May mothers who have lived their lives burying their children in their hearts on the occasion of Parents' Day, then explained the purpose of designating May 18 as a local public holiday.

Mayor Lee said, “We promoted the designation of a local public holiday so that all citizens of Gwangju can, with one heart and one mind, reflect on the meaning of May 18 for just one day, and spend the day visiting historical sites with their children to experience the righteous history of Gwangju. This day is not simply a ‘day off’ but a day to pause daily work and honor the noble spirit.”

He then actively requested that public institutions and private companies in the jurisdiction participate in closing or taking a day off in accordance with Article 4 of the “Gwangju Metropolitan City May 18 Democratic Movement Commemoration Day Local Public Holiday Designation Ordinance.”

Mayor Lee emphasized, “May 18 should not be perceived as a day off only for city hall and city council officials who are subject to the ordinance. The purpose of designating a local public holiday will be more fully realized when the five district offices, public institutions, schools, and companies also join in taking a day off or closing.”

He added, “On the 40th anniversary of May 18, we must elevate it from the past May 18 to the future May 18, from Gwangju’s May 18 to the world’s May 18, and from the May 18 of resentment and anger to the May 18 of harmony and development. The designation of a local public holiday is the starting point for gathering that meaning and will, and by uncovering the truth of May 18, the May 18 spirit should become a milestone of democracy, human rights, and peace not only for Korea but for the world.”

Mayor Lee concluded, “I once again ask the local community to actively participate so that the Gwangju community can, on this day alone, think only of May 18 with one heart and one mind, discuss the path the Gwangju community should take, and practice sharing and solidarity.”

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