Gwangju City Holds Joint Memorial Visit to National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the morning of the 11th that it held a joint memorial service at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and the 5·18 Old Cemetery ahead of the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement.

The joint memorial service was attended by more than 80 people, including Mayor Lee Yong-seop, Gwangju City Council Chairman Kim Dong-chan, city executives, city council members, heads of public corporations and public institutions, the chairman of the 5·18 Memorial Foundation, and 5·18 organizations (bereaved families association, wounded association, detained wounded association).

The memorial service proceeded in the order of flower offering, incense burning, salute, and silent prayer at the 5·18 People's Uprising Memorial Tower.

Following this, they visited the 2nd burial area and the 5·18 Old Cemetery to pay respects at the graves of 5·18 meritorious persons and national and democratic martyrs.

In particular, on this day, chrysanthemums were offered throughout the entire burial grounds of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and the 5·18 Old Cemetery to console the spirits of the deceased.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, “When May begins in Gwangju, the pain of countless citizens who carry the bitter cries of blood in their hearts grows even greater. I hope that on May 18, designated as a local holiday, everyone in Gwangju will pause their daily work for a moment to reflect on the pain of May and honor the noble spirit.”

He added, “Today, the plenary session of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Truth Investigation Committee is being held, and Jeonil Building 245 is reopening after 4 years and 4 months. We will do our best to make this 40th anniversary a time when all citizens unite their will and determination for the truth investigation of 5·18 and gather our capabilities for the national and global recognition of 5·18.”

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