“The Noble Sacrifice of the May Spirits... We Will Not Forget”

42nd Anniversary of 5·18, People Gather at Various Places to Commemorate

On the morning of the 18th at 9 a.m., ribbons flutter in the wind in front of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, where the 42nd anniversary ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising is being held.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Junho] On the morning of the 18th at 9 a.m., in front of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, the 42nd anniversary 5·18 Democratization Movement memorial ceremony was held.

Although the ceremony was about an hour away, the entrance to the ceremony hall, 'Gate of Democracy,' was crowded with citizens from all walks of life.

From political party officials dressed in black suits to young and middle-aged people, and elders with white hair flowing in the wind, citizens who wanted to remember Gwangju 42 years ago came to this place.

An art piece honoring the merit recipients who sacrificed their lives due to the 5·18 greeted them first. As they looked around the works themed literally on 'May,' the citizens seemed to indirectly feel the pain of that day.

The yellow ribbons swaying in the wind under the warm sunlight also seemed to beckon as if saying welcome.

After the memorial ceremony had been scaled down for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held fully for the first time in three years as social distancing measures were completely lifted, drawing quite a large crowd, and the police were busy guiding people.

Although a large number of People Power Party lawmakers were scheduled to attend the ceremony encouraged by President Yoon Seok-yeol, there were no special physical clashes or protests.

This was a different scene from the past when protests opposing conservative parties' attendance at the 5·18 event caused noise.

Around the Gate of Democracy, about ten large and small booths were operated, including water service, sharing of rice balls, and chrysanthemum flower distribution.

Seo Jeong-yeol (61) received four chrysanthemum flowers at the chrysanthemum booth and was lost in thought for a while.

Seo, who was a high school student in May 1980, said he participated in the 5·18 with his juniors. After 5·18 ended, Seo survived, but four juniors who were brutally tortured eventually became May spirits.

Seo said, "Every year on January 1 and May 18, I come here to see my four juniors," and with teary eyes added, "I will never forget the noble sacrifice of the May spirits."

The sharing volunteer service of 'rice balls,' a symbol of the May spirit, was also carried out in various places.

Members of the Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korean Red Cross came here from 6 a.m. and made rice balls enough for 2,000 people. Along with rice balls, they also prepared fermented skate salad and bulgogi as extras.

About 30 members of the May Mothers' House, who are bereaved families of the 5·18, also came to volunteer in making rice balls. They rolled the rice balls while reenacting the situation at that time.

Lee Nam-sook (65, female) said, "I am wrapping rice balls with the heart of a mother from 1980 to commemorate the 5·18," and added, "I came out from 8 a.m. to contribute even a little to this 5·18, not even taking care of my son's meal."

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