40 Years Ago at '5wol Square,' President Moon Stood: "State Violence Must Be Fully Investigated" (Update)

'Orderer of Shooting, Martial Law Troops' Massacre of Civilians, Helicopter Gunfire'... "Confession Even Now Will Open the Path to Forgiveness"

President Moon Jae-in delivers a commemorative speech at the 40th anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising held in front of the former Jeonnam Provincial Office in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, on the morning of the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 18th at the square in front of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Building (5.18 Democracy Square), which served as the headquarters and the final battleground during the May 18 Democratic Uprising, "The truth behind state violence must be uncovered." This is the first time in 23 years since the May 18 Democratic Uprising was designated as a legal memorial day in 1997 that the commemorative ceremony was held at 5.18 Democracy Square instead of the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery.

At 10 a.m. that day, President Moon attended the '40th Anniversary May 18 Democratic Uprising Commemoration Ceremony' hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. He identified the subjects for truth investigation as "identifying those who gave the shooting orders, the massacre of civilians committed by martial law troops, the truth about helicopter shootings, and suspicions of concealment and fabrication," emphasizing that "distortion and disparagement will no longer have a place." However, he added, "The purpose is not punishment but to record history correctly," and "If courage is shown now to confess the truth, it will open the path to forgiveness and reconciliation."

Furthermore, he pledged, "The government will spare no support so that the 'May 18 Truth Investigation Committee,' which officially began its activities on the 12th, can thoroughly uncover the remaining truths," and "We will identify the whereabouts of the missing persons from May 18 and ensure that not a single person suffers injustice in the restoration of honor and compensation for additional victims."

In his commemorative speech, President Moon mentioned the 'May Spirit' ten times to emphasize its importance. He said, "'May Spirit' has become a noble spirit of sacrifice that responds to the call of history and remains alive today," adding, "That spirit dwells in the hearts of every citizen and has become the driving force behind Korea becoming a global model in overcoming the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)." He continued, "The May Spirit must be more widely shared and be reborn anew, connecting generation to generation," stressing, "Incorporating the 'May 18 Democratic Uprising' into the preamble of the Constitution is to establish May 18 as a great history of the Republic of Korea that no one can deface or deny."

The ceremony held under the theme "Though Time Passes, the Mountains and Rivers Know," taken from part of the lyrics of the popular protest song 'March for the Beloved,' was attended by 400 people, including May 18 meritorious persons and their families, Speaker of the National Assembly Moon Hee-sang and other high-ranking officials from the five branches of government, democratic and civic groups, and representatives of major political parties.

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