Lee Nak-yeon Pays Tribute at Gwangju 5·18 Cemetery... On Pardon Debate, "Should Be Settled by President's Words"

Recent Sharp Decline in Approval Ratings... Analysis of the 'Consolidating Support Base in Honam' Movement

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is paying respects at the National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery on the afternoon of the 18th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 18th.

It has been 86 days since his last visit to the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on October 24, and 80 days since his last visit to Gwangju on November 1 of last year.

Earlier this month, Lee faced backlash after proposing pardons for former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye.

The reason cited was that it was 'incompatible with the Gwangju spirit.'

As a result, Lee's approval ratings dropped sharply, and public criticism followed.

For example, Representative Min Hyung-bae (Gwangsan District B, Gwangju) expressed support for Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who is emerging as another presidential contender.

Therefore, many view Lee's visit to Gwangju this time not as a simple regional visit but as a move to solidify his political base.

In the local political circles, there is speculation that Lee, whose core support base is rooted in the Honam region, visited Gwangju once again to highlight differentiation from Lee Jae-myung, a presidential candidate within the party.

A local political official said, “When Lee visited Gwangju for the first time after his inauguration last October, he secured the party's adoption of the 5·18 Special Act as a party policy, and during his second visit in November, he brought gifts related to local issues. However, with his approval ratings recently declining, this visit appears to be aimed at solidifying the support of Gwangju, his key support base.”

On the day, Lee paid respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and emphasized, “I will strive to make the May spirit not only a beacon for Gwangju but also a torch that illuminates the future of humanity.”

He added, “Regarding the long-standing wish of the May families to improve the second burial site of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, we will commission a study without delay and find the best improvement plan.”

Regarding the recent controversy over the pardon proposals for former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, he briefly stated, “We must respect the president's will, and the matter should be concluded by the president's decision.”

Meanwhile, after paying respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, Lee met with Archbishop Kim Hee-jung of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju and then returned to Seoul.

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