Jeon Du-hwan Grandson's Standing Chorus of 'March for the Beloved' in Gwangju

Jeon Woo-won Visits National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery
Shows Deep Bow and Repeated Apologies
Also Offers Incense and Flowers at 5·18 Cemetery Memorial Group

Jeon Woo-won, the grandson of Jeon Du-hwan, visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery again in March and attended the 43rd anniversary memorial ceremony for the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

According to Yonhap News and others on the 17th, Jeon Woo-won visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery around 10:30 a.m. together with officials from the 5·18 Memorial Foundation.

After greeting the bereaved families, he sat behind the guest seats and observed the memorial ceremony. During the singing of the "March for the Beloved," he stood up and sang along.

Jeon Woo-won, grandson of former President Jeon Du-hwan, is attending a memorial ceremony held on the morning of the 17th at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, and is leading the singing of the March for the Beloved.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Some bereaved families said that Jeon's actions helped ease some of their long-held resentment.

Park Haeng-sun (73), the sister of Park Gwan-hyeon, the former president of the Jeonnam National University Student Council and a martyr of the May 18 Uprising, said, "The grandson knelt down and apologized on behalf of his grandfather, who never once apologized," adding, "Some of the long-standing anger and sorrow have been somewhat relieved." She also added, "This May holds a particularly special meaning this year."

Jeon Woo-won, the grandson of Jeon Du-hwan, is saluting the national flag while attending a memorial ceremony held on the morning of the 17th at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeon then bowed deeply and apologized again to each bereaved family member he met that day. Seeing this, the May Mothers said, "He is different from his grandfather," and comforted him by saying, "Thank you for coming again," welcoming him warmly.

After the memorial rites ended, Jeon lined up behind the bereaved families and memorial attendees to pay respects by offering incense and flowers at the 5·18 Cemetery.

Jeon Woo-won: "Please Remember 5·18 Rather Than Me"

Jeon Woo-won, the grandson of former President Jeon Du-hwan, is attending a memorial ceremony held on the morning of the 17th at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, where he is laying flowers.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the visit, Jeon met with reporters and said, "Today, I hope those who sacrificed for democracy are remembered rather than me," and apologized again, saying, "I have no right to speak, but I am sincerely sorry."

Earlier in March, Jeon stayed in Gwangju for three days, met with 5·18 bereaved families, and paid respects at the 5·18 Cemetery to apologize for his grandfather's atrocities.

At that time, Jeon expressed his intention to attend the 5·18 memorial ceremony. It is reported that the 5·18 Memorial Foundation invited him, leading to his second visit to Gwangju.

After the memorial ceremony, Jeon said, "I came before the ceremony to keep my promise to come again," and expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for creating this precious occasion and allowing me to be here."

Meanwhile, Jeon is scheduled to visit the special exhibition "May Mothers' Painting Farm" held at May Hall in Dong-gu, Gwangju, in the afternoon and meet with 5·18 merit recipients who are hospitalized.

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