"'May Spirit Desecration' Construction Groups and Special Forces Veterans Absolutely Must Not Pay Tribute"

May Spirit Preservation Pan-City Residents' Committee Holds Press Conference at Democratic Cemetery

When news spread that the legal organizations, the 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association and the Meritorious Persons Association, would visit the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery together with the Special Forces Comrades Association, civic groups voiced strong opposition.

After the 5·18 Injured Persons Association and the Meritorious Persons Association forcibly held a joint public declaration ceremony with the Special Forces Comrades Association last February, demands for withdrawal and apology came not only from civic groups but also from political circles, and the conflict remains tense to this day.

The May Defense Pan-Citizen Countermeasure Committee held a press conference on the 16th in front of the Gate of Democracy at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

The May Spirit Protection Pan-City and Provincial Citizens’ Countermeasure Committee, composed of 1,646 organizations, held a press conference on the 16th in front of the Democracy Gate at the entrance of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, stating, "Not only was the joint declaration ceremony held, but the surprise visit to the cemetery is an act that damages the May Spirit and tramples on the values of May."

The group declared, "We clearly express our determination not to tolerate their visit to the cemetery at the scheduled time on the 16th," and condemned, "Despite continuous demands for the legal organizations and the Special Forces Association to apologize and withdraw the joint declaration ceremony, both organizations still intend to continue their course of action, which has united the strong will of the citizens of the city and province."

They added, "We have heard that the two organizations plan to visit the National Cemetery again on the 21st," and warned, "Under no circumstances will we forgive or allow them to set foot in the cemetery again without reflection, withdrawal of the public declaration, and a sincere apology. We plan to reaffirm our resolve here on that day as well."

They also opposed the visit by President Yoon Seok-yeol and the People Power Party, who are scheduled to attend the 43rd anniversary 5·18 Democratic Movement Commemoration Ceremony on the 18th.

The group stated, "President Yoon Seok-yeol and the People Power Party talk about including the 5·18 Spirit in the preamble of the Constitution and the values of May and liberal democracy, but in fact, their actions over the past year have been completely contrary to the 5·18 Spirit," and asserted, "In this situation, we cannot accept the deceptive visit to the National Cemetery."

They concluded, "On the 18th, President Yoon will again face protest actions from us, and during this time when the spirit is flourishing, we will clearly express our will to the very end and protect the spirit of May."

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