Lee Jae-myung Attends Myanmar Peace Photo Exhibition... "I Also Once Criticized the May 18 Democratic Movement" Reflects

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, expressed hope that Myanmar's democratic struggle will bear fruit, and reflected that he himself once criticized the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement due to distorted media reports.

On the 28th, through a post titled 'Hoping Myanmar's Struggle Bears Fruit' on Facebook, Governor Lee stated, "Democracy is the most rational system among political systems that have existed in history, respecting people," and strongly criticized, "The Myanmar military is trampling on democracy, which embodies universal human values, overthrowing a legitimately elected government and violating human rights."

He added, "I sincerely support the struggle of the Myanmar people against this," and quoted a Korean poet, "Anyone who has ever soared for freedom knows what the nightingale sings about and why freedom is mixed with the smell of blood."

He also said, "The May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement was mistaken for a riot due to distorted media reports, and shamefully, I also joined in the criticism, but historical truth eventually comes to light," and "I earnestly hope that the experience of South Korea, which endured harsh times and ultimately achieved democracy, will also be realized in Myanmar."

Governor Lee further stated, "Today, the Myanmar Peace Photo Exhibition opened at the Gyeonggi Arts Center," and urged, "Since it contains both peaceful scenes of Myanmar and scenes of oppressed protests, I hope the residents of Gyeonggi Province will take great interest in Myanmar's reality."

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