On the 41st Anniversary of 5·18... Ruling and Opposition Parties Fully Mobilize in Gwangju

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Jeon Jinyoung and Park Juni] On the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, politicians from both ruling and opposition parties headed to Gwangju. Presidential hopefuls from the ruling party sought to rally support in Honam, while the opposition aimed to expand their base. For the first time in 41 years, members of the People Power Party were invited by the bereaved families' association to attend the commemorative ceremony together.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the Supreme Council members attended the ceremony and then paid respects at the May 18 Cemetery. Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, held a basic income meeting with five district heads of Gwangju in the afternoon before visiting the cemetery. Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun paid respects together with Myanmar residents in Korea, university students from Jeonnam, and lawmakers. Lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan planned to give a lecture at Chosun University after visiting the cemetery, and lawmaker Park Yong-jin, who had attended the eve event the day before, also visited the cemetery.

The opposition also made their way to Gwangju. On the previous day (the 17th), lawmakers Jeong Un-cheon and Seong Il-jong became the first conservative party members to be officially invited by the May 18 bereaved families' association and attended the memorial service held at the Democratic Cemetery. On the same day, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong and former Future United Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min completed their visits to the cemetery.

Kim Ki-hyun, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, both visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju that morning. The new leadership of the People Power Party is intensifying its efforts to court Honam following the Kim Jong-in emergency committee system. On this day, the People Power Party issued a statement saying, "The 'democracy' and 'community spirit' that May 18 Gwangju sought to protect are not the exclusive property of any particular party or camp," and "Going forward, the People Power Party will walk together with Honam."

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