'Martyr Lee Cheol-gyu Dedicated to Democratization Awarded the Order of Civil Merit, Moran Medal'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Cheol-gyu, a student of Chosun University who dedicated himself to democratization and promoted the spirit of the democratization movement through sacrifice, was awarded the National Medal.

According to Chosun University on the 16th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Democratization Movement Commemoration Association posthumously awarded Lee Cheol-gyu the ‘National Medal Moranjang’ during the 35th anniversary ceremony of the June 10 Democratic Uprising in recognition of his contributions to the democratization movement.

Lee died under suspicious circumstances while being wanted for student movement-related activities. His sacrifice was recognized for promoting the spirit of the democratization movement and contributing to the development of democracy.

Lee was born in Samseo-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, graduated from Gwangju Geumho High School, and entered the Department of Electronic Engineering at Chosun University.

After entering Chosun University in 1982, Lee Cheol-gyu continued his democratization struggle, forming and participating in the Anti-Foreign Intervention and Anti-Dictatorship Struggle Committee in 1985, for which he was imprisoned for over two years.

He led the democratization of Chosun University in 1987 and served as the editor-in-chief of the university magazine, publishing the inaugural issue of ‘Democratic Chosun’ in 1989. Until his death in 1989, he aimed for democratization in academia and society, confronting social injustices in Korea to create a better world.

On May 3, 1989, while wanted on charges of violating the National Security Law, he fled from a police stop at the Samgeori intersection of the 4th Suwon District in Gwangju and was found dead at the 4th Suwon District on May 10.

Later, during the investigation by the Presidential Commission on Suspicious Deaths, evidence emerged that a third public security agency conducted search activities, raising the possibility of homicide. However, due to non-cooperation from state agencies at the time, the truth of the matter was not revealed.

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