Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung: "We Will Care for the Youth Protecting the Country with a Parent's Heart"

Gwangju City Holds the 69th Memorial Day Ceremony at Gwangju Park's Hyeonchung Tower

On the 6th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung attended the ‘69th Memorial Day Ceremony’ held at the Memorial Tower in Gwangju Park and said, “We will care for the youth who protect the country with the heart of a parent caring for their children.”

Mayor Kang stated, “Protecting the hearts of parents who send their children to the military is the beginning of honoring veterans,” adding, “There are unfortunate incidents happening to our youth fulfilling their military duties. Every time we hear about accidents involving soldiers, many citizens and I feel heartbroken.”

He continued, “It is regrettable that the special investigation law to uncover the truth behind the death of a Marine has ultimately been discarded in the National Assembly. Every year, about 6,300 young people enlist in Gwangju,” emphasizing, “As I have experienced myself, the hearts of parents sending their children to the military are always filled with tension, anxiety, impatience, and worry.”

Furthermore, he said, “Understanding these parental feelings, Gwangju City will do its best to protect the soldiers,” and added, “It is time to reflect on the meaning of those who sacrificed for the country and community, inherit their spirit, and realize ‘Inclusive City Gwangju.’”

He also stated, “We now live on the noble sacrifices of not only the heroes of independence and national defense but also countless people who devoted themselves to the community,” and expressed “deep respect to the spirits who left us the great legacy of love and dedication to the community.”

He continued, “Patriotism is being realized and expanded in various forms of love for the community,” explaining, “Gwangju must expand the scope of patriotism to the world and move forward as an inclusive city leading democracy, human rights, freedom and equality, peace, and justice.”

He prayed that the 2025 World Archery Championships to be held in Gwangju next September would become a stage for world peace and requested the government, international community, and veterans’ families to join forces.

Mayor Kang said, “The Republic of Korea is a great country that overcame colonial rule, survived the ravages of war, and was built beyond dictatorship and poverty,” adding, “Given the ongoing tensions between North and South Korea and conflicts worldwide, policies to avoid war and ease tensions are more necessary than ever, even under strong security. I dream of sports diplomacy, like the ping-pong diplomacy between the U.S. and China, cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan, and the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, to connect the North and South.”

On the 6th, Gwangju City held the 69th Memorial Day Ceremony at the Memorial Tower in Gwangju Park. About 300 people attended, including Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Jeong Mu-chang, Chairperson of the Gwangju City Council, Lee Jeong-seon, Superintendent of Gwangju Office of Education, National Assembly members Jo In-cheol, Yang Bu-nam, Jeon Jin-sook, Jeong Jun-ho, Park Gyun-taek, heads of veterans’ organizations, bereaved families of war casualties, disabled veterans, and veterans’ families.

The ceremony proceeded in the order of silent prayer, national ceremony, flower offering and incense burning, memorial address, memorial performance, singing of the Memorial Song, and incense burning at the memorial tablet repository.

At exactly 10 a.m., attendees observed a moment of silence to honor the noble patriotism of the martyrs and war heroes who devoted and sacrificed themselves for the protection of the country, accompanied by a siren, then offered flowers and incense at the altar of the Memorial Tower.

During the memorial performance, Kim In-ja, a bereaved family member of a war casualty, recited the memorial poem “You Became the Green Rain,” and calligrapher Kim Hye-jin performed a brush calligraphy performance themed “Blooming as Chrysanthemums in the Fields of Bitgoeul,” enhancing the solemn atmosphere. The ceremony concluded with the Gwangju City Children’s Choir singing the Memorial Song.

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