Yoon Seok-yeol Visits Gwangju to Win Public Support, Faces Strong Resistance Again at 5·18 Cemetery in a Half-hearted Memorial Ceremony

Even after the 4th knock, public sentiment remains cold... "I paid respects in my heart"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, visited the 5.18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju on the 6th but was unable to reach the memorial tower due to strong resistance from citizens and bowed his head to the May spirits in the square. Photo by Park Jin-hyung

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] On the afternoon of the 6th, Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, visited the Gwangju National May 18th Democratic Cemetery but, as with his previous visit, his attendance was once again a 'half-hearted tribute.'

With just over a month left before the presidential election, he intended to pay respects to the spirits of the May 18 martyrs, but due to opposition from citizens, he was unable to lay flowers or incense at the memorial tower.

Yoon had also visited the May 18 Democratic Cemetery on November 10 last year, but at that time, citizens angered by his 'remarks defending Chun Doo-hwan' blocked the path in front of the memorial tower, preventing him from moving forward. He bowed his head in the square and paid tribute before leaving.

This was his fourth visit as a presidential candidate, but on two of those occasions, he had no choice but to replace the memorial ceremony with a salute and silent prayer in front of the memorial gate, which is a midpoint.

Even before Yoon arrived, tensions between supporters and opponents began to escalate at the site.

Supporters holding Taegeukgi flags and chrysanthemums in one hand raised their voices with slogans such as "State property thief, arrest Kim Hye-kyung" and "Why did you buy sushi with a corporate card?"

Opponents holding placards with messages like "You have no right to stand before the May spirits" shouted "Resign" repeatedly in response.

Police forces set up order-maintaining lines to separate the two groups, but clashes broke out in various places.

In this historic site where Gwangju citizens and students commemorate the anti-dictatorship democratization movement against unjust state power, physical fights broke out, including hair-pulling and grabbing collars. They glared fiercely and taunted the opposing side with remarks like "Keep shouting all day long."

When Yoon arrived and stepped out of the car, cheers and calls for his resignation rang out simultaneously.

With a calm expression, he wrote in the guestbook, "I will carry on the spirit of May and protect liberal democracy," and passed through the Gate of Democracy, the entrance to the May 18 Democratic Cemetery.

However, due to strong opposition from citizens, he could not proceed further and bowed his head to the May spirits while standing in the square.

Yoon expressed regret, saying, "Because of those blocking me, I could not go forward to offer incense, but I paid tribute in my heart to the spirits of the victims."

He stated, "The spirit of May was about defending democracy with blood, so not only I but all citizens remember it. The spirit of liberal democracy and May is not simply about the spirit of resistance but symbolizes national unity centered on these values."

He added, "I believe that on my next official visit, it is the right duty as a politician to visit the democratic cemetery, pay proper respects to the symbols of liberal democracy and national unity, and once again straighten my mindset."

Yoon will visit the site of the newly constructed apartment collapse accident in Gwangju to meet with victims' families and hold a session to review the causes and institutional improvement measures to prevent recurrence.

He will then attend the final schedule of the victory resolution rally of the election campaign committees from 17 cities and provinces. On this day, he plans to strengthen the will for regime change and national unity together with his supporters.

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