Gwangju City Jointly Pays Tribute at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery

On the morning of the 13th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Kim Yong-jip, Chairman of the Gwangju City Council, and other members of the joint memorial delegation paid their respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, ahead of the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City paid tribute to the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and the 5·18 Old Cemetery on the morning of the 13th ahead of the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

The tribute ceremony was held with the participation of about 50 people, including Mayor Lee Yong-seop, City Council Chairman Kim Yong-jip, city executives, and city council members, proceeding in the order of flower offering, incense burning, salute, and silent prayer at the 5·18 People's Uprising Memorial Tower.

Before the tribute, Mayor Lee wrote in the guestbook, "We will further inherit and develop the May spirit of democracy, human rights, sharing, and solidarity."

He then visited the Second Cemetery Area and the 5·18 Old Cemetery to pay respects at the graves of 5·18 meritorious persons and national and democratic martyrs.

Especially this year, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, autonomous districts and affiliated organizations conducted their own tribute ceremonies.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, "Although there are regrets such as the reduced number of participants in the 41st anniversary 5·18 Democratic Uprising commemorative events due to COVID-19, we will expand and operate channels for citizens to participate, such as online memorial halls, to the fullest extent."

He added, "This year marks the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the 5·18 records as a UNESCO Memory of the World. In the current global situation where democracy and human rights are threatened by events such as the Myanmar massacre and Asian hate crimes, we will strive even harder to make the spirit of Gwangju's 5·18 the central axis to overcome this era of crisis."

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