"Jeon Woo-won Has No Reason Not to Meet"… First Visit to 5·18 Cemetery After Retirement

Visiting Gwangju a Day Before the 43rd Anniversary of the Democratization Movement

"Today's Democracy Thanks to the Sacrifices of the May 18 Democratic Uprising"

Former President Moon Jae-in visited Gwangju to pay tribute to the May spirits.

On the morning of the 17th, a day before the 43rd anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, former President Moon and Mrs. Kim Jung-sook visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City to pay their respects to the May spirits.

This is the third time since leaving office that he has visited the May 18 Democratic Cemetery, following former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

Recently, he has been expanding his activities by opening a bookstore in Pyeongsan Village, where his residence is located, and visiting the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park, leading to interpretations that he is preparing to resume political activities ahead of next year’s general election.

Accompanying him on this visit were Kang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City and former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House during the Moon administration, and Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do.

Former President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook are paying their respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the morning of the 17th.

Former President Moon left the phrase "The spirit of May 18 democracy is always with us" in the guestbook and stood before the memorial group.

In a solemn atmosphere, after offering flowers and incense, he bowed his head in salute and observed a moment of silence to show respect for the May spirits.

After the tribute, he toured the first burial area behind the memorial tower, honoring the noble sacrifice of the democratization movement figures.

At the grave of the late martyr Moon Jae-hak (16), who died from gunfire by martial law troops, President Moon knelt down and slowly caressed the tombstone with his white-gloved hands.

Listening to the caretaker’s account of Moon’s story, he pressed his lips tightly, seemingly saddened by the loss of such a young life.

Receiving handshakes and cheers from citizens and students, he moved with heavy steps toward the second burial area. He visited the graves of the late lawyer Han Seung-heon and former Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Tae-bok in turn, bowing his head once again.

He then moved to the National Democratic Martyrs’ Cemetery (formerly Mangwol Cemetery) and silently gazed at the grave of the late martyr Lee Han-yeol, sharing a brief conversation with Mayor Kang.

He did not step on the so-called “Jeon Du-hwan marker stone” embedded in the ground at the entrance of this cemetery.

President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook are visiting the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 17th, touring the graves of the democracy movement martyrs.

At a meeting with the press that day, President Moon said, "South Korea’s democracy owes a great deal to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, and the reason the people enjoy democracy today is thanks to the sacrifices made during the May 18 Democratic Uprising."

Regarding the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the constitution, he said, "Not only did I pledge this as a campaign promise, but during my presidency, I submitted a revision bill to the National Assembly that includes the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising," adding, "I deeply regret that the constitutional amendment bill was not properly deliberated in the National Assembly."

When asked if he planned to meet Jeon Woo-won (grandson of the late Jeon Du-hwan), he replied, "I do not have any special plans, but I do not think there is any reason not to meet him."

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