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Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Jong-in, is paying respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the morning of the 19th. Photo by Jo Hyeong-ju

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters reporters Park Jin-hyung and Jo Hyung-joo] Former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in continues his 'Honam companionship.'

Following last year's 'kneeling apology,' former Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 19th to pay respects to the May spirits.

Honam-born lawmaker Jeong Un-cheon (Chairman of the National Integration Committee) and Kim Geun-sik, Songpa-byeong Party Committee Chairman who serves as the party's 'speaker,' also joined him.

Although the Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee leadership system ended after the April 7 by-elections, he showed a broad pro-unity movement with incumbent lawmakers.

Former Chairman Kim entered the Gate of Democracy at the entrance of the May 18 Democratic Cemetery and left a message in the guestbook saying, "The spirit of the May 18 democratization movement will make a true democratic and advanced Republic of Korea possible."

Dressed in a dark navy suit with a black tie and wearing white ceremonial gloves, he then stood in front of the memorial tower to the tune of the "March for the Beloved," offering flowers and incense.

Maintaining a solemn expression, he also observed a moment of silence and then visited the graves of martyrs Park Hyun-sook and Jeon Jae-soo in turn, listening to explanations from facility officials about how they sacrificed their lives.

Park, who had just graduated from high school and recently started working at a bank, went out to find a coffin but lost her life at a young age due to mass shooting by martial law troops. Jeon, an elementary school student at the time, was playing outside with friends and waved happily at departing soldiers, only to be shot. While fleeing in a hurry, the rubber shoes bought by his older brother slipped off, and when he bent down to pick them up, he was shot and died.

Former Chairman Kim said, "I came here a year ago to take this as an opportunity to officially apologize for the May 18 democratization movement, which the predecessor parties of the People Power Party had not properly expressed," adding, "Since today marks the one-year anniversary, I thought I should visit again."

Former Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Jong-in, is paying silent tribute in front of the graves of martyrs Park Hyun-sook and Jeon Jae-soo at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the morning of the 19th. Photo by Jo Hyeong-ju

He also mentioned the decline in People Power Party's approval ratings in Honam.

He said, "I have not paid much attention to changes in approval ratings," and added, "I don't know if there have been changes, but if the People Power Party continues to show interest in the Honam region and persist in what it has done so far, I believe it will lead to an increase in approval ratings."

After the memorial, former Chairman Kim held a meeting in a conference room within the national cemetery with Kim Young-hoon, chairman of the May 18 Bereaved Families Association, Vice Chairman Yang Gwan-seok, and Secretary-General Park Hyun-ok.

Although former Chairman Kim said that "I have done my part in the People Power Party as I step down from the Emergency Response Committee chairman," this visit is also seen as a sign that he may take on an important role in the upcoming presidential election.

There is a view that former Chairman Kim is needed to compensate for the decline in People Power Party's support in Honam.

Also, from the People Power Party's perspective, Yeongnam is traditionally a constant, while Honam is a variable. It is said that winning double-digit support in the Democratic Party's stronghold is necessary to win, making a strategic 'leftward shift' policy essential for regime change.

Therefore, with seven months left until the presidential election, local political circles explain that former Chairman Kim's visit is not unrelated to this.

Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "The symbolism that former Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim holds for the opposition is moderate expansion. A representative action showing this is going to Gwangju," and evaluated, "Among People Power Party figures, there are not many who receive as much support as former Chairman Kim."

He added, "It seems that former Chairman Kim will play a significant role in the presidential election situation," and predicted, "He may take on important roles such as standing advisor or election committee chairman."

There is also speculation that former Chairman Kim, who recently met with former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, the leading figure of the opposition, is providing support by targeting Honam, a conservative barren land.

Meanwhile, during former Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim's visit to pay respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery, members of the Gwangju-Jeonnam university student May 18 club 'Owolbit' shouted "Kim Jong-in step down."

Shin Hye-seon (22, female) said, "I want to ask what has been done to honor the May spirit," and added, "Didn't you consider filibustering the special law against May 18 historical distortion?"

Shin Gyu-sik (22) also claimed, "Former Chairman Kim knelt and shed tears in front of the May spirits around this time last year, pledging to lead efforts against historical distortion," but "the People Power Party has led historical distortion and repeatedly acted contradictorily."

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