Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop Attends 2·28 Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony in Daegu

1st Anniversary of Gwangju Community Bed Solidarity Announcement, Reflecting on Its Value and Meaning

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin Expresses Gratitude for the Bed Solidarity Proposal

On the morning of the 28th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended the 61st anniversary ceremony of the February 28 Democratic Movement held at the 2·28 Democratic Movement Memorial Tower in Duryu Park, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, and had a conversation with Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended the 61st anniversary 2·28 Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony held at Daegu Culture and Arts Center on the morning of the 28th.

The day held additional significance as it was one day before the first anniversary of Gwangju extending a helping hand through a ‘bed solidarity’ when Daegu was struggling to treat confirmed COVID-19 patients during the outbreak.

During his visit to Daegu, Mayor Lee said in an interview with local media, “I am pleased that the tradition of mutual attendance between Daegu’s 2·28 Democratic Movement and Gwangju’s 5·18 Democratization Movement continues this year as well,” adding, “In Daegu, bus number 518 runs, and in Gwangju, bus number 228 runs, showing that exchanges and cooperation in various fields are being solidly maintained.”

In response, Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu, said, “We are very grateful for Gwangju’s proposal of bed solidarity, and this has further strengthened the Moonlight Alliance.”

On March 1st last year, the 101st anniversary of the March 1st Movement, the Gwangju community issued a special statement declaring, “To help Daegu, our Moonlight Alliance sister city, we will accept COVID-19 confirmed patients from Daegu and provide treatment in Gwangju.”

A total of 43 organizations participated in this declaration, including local governments in Gwangju, political circles, civil society organizations, 5·18 organizations, and religious groups.

As a result of the bed solidarity proposal, 32 confirmed patients from Daegu were treated and fully recovered in Gwangju before returning to Daegu.

After returning, they expressed their gratitude by sending thank-you letters and gifts to medical staff and citizens.

The Gwangju community supported Daegu’s medical staff by preparing rice balls, and volunteers, including medical personnel, eagerly headed to Daegu.

In addition, the Korean National Open University Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional University Korean Language and Literature Department Student Council sent donations to Gwangju as a token of gratitude for the bed solidarity, further widening the channel of warmth and hearts between the two regions.

Mayor Lee said, “The spirit of Daegu 2·28 and Gwangju 5·18, who did not hesitate to sacrifice and dedicate themselves to uphold justice and democracy, has elevated the Moonlight Alliance to a higher level through humanitarianism and sharing of hospital beds,” adding, “We will continue to strive so that both regions can develop into true sister cities that prepare for the future together based on mutual understanding and respect.”

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