President Moon Jae-in: "Gwangju Was the First to Prepare Hospital Beds for Daegu"

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin Expresses Gratitude: "Daegu Citizens Gained Strength from Gwangju Citizens' Warmth"

Mayor Lee Yong-seop Responds, "Overcoming Difficulties Through Close Solidarity Is the Spirit of May 18"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The ‘bed-sharing’ initiative, where the Gwangju community extended a helping hand to the Daegu region for treating COVID-19 patients, was recalled on the 40th anniversary of the May 18th Democratization Movement as a testament to the ‘strength of the May spirit’ and the ‘Moonlight Alliance.’

President Moon Jae-in, in his commemorative speech at the 40th anniversary ceremony of the May 18th Democratization Movement held on the morning of the 18th at the May 18th Democratic Square in front of the former Jeonnam Provincial Office, stated, “The May spirit has become a source of strength that serves as a global model in overcoming COVID-19,” referring to the Gwangju community’s bed-sharing initiative.

President Moon said, “Gwangju was the first to prepare hospital beds for Daegu, which was struggling due to a shortage of beds, and the confirmed patients in Daegu were able to regain their health and return home. Moreover, the May mothers shared hardships with the Daegu medical staff by preparing rice ball lunch boxes with sincerity.”

He continued, “The May spirit has responded to the call of history and has become a noble spirit of sacrifice that is still alive today.”

On the morning of the 18th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended the '40th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Commemoration Ceremony' held at the 5·18 Democratic Square of the former Jeonnam Provincial Office in Dong-gu, where he greeted and embraced Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin, before attending the 40th anniversary ceremony of the May 18th Democratization Movement, stated, “The warm kindness of the citizens of Gwangju gave the citizens of Daegu courage even in difficult circumstances,” adding, “Daegu and Gwangju, connected through the Moonlight Alliance, have become even stronger through the response to COVID-19, and the cooperation and exchange between the two cities symbolize harmony that gives hope and courage to all citizens.”

Mayor Kwon also said at the National Governors’ Association meeting held in Gwangju that day, “During the truly difficult and challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, each province provided hospital beds, helped open residential treatment centers, and supported us with many supplies and donations,” adding, “Through this experience, I deeply realized how important solidarity and cooperation are between the central government and local governments, as well as among local governments themselves during disasters.”

In response, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop emphasized, “In difficult times, it is important to overcome hardships by uniting all the capabilities of the people through closer sharing and solidarity rather than distancing and pushing away,” stressing, “This is precisely the spirit of the March 1st Independence Movement that has continued for the past 100 years and the spirit of the May 18th Democratization Movement, which is now celebrating its 40th anniversary.”

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