Gwangju Civic Groups Oppose People Power Party Leader Jang Donghyuk's Visit to May 18 Cemetery

Scheduled to Pay Respects at May 18 Cemetery and Inspect Key Sites
"Paying Respects Without an Apology Is a Political Show"
Democratic Party: "This Is Not a Genuine Act of Remembrance"

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is visiting Gwangju on November 6 to pay respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and to tour sites including a complex shopping mall and an AI data center. This marks his first visit to Gwangju since taking office as party leader in August. While Jang emphasizes his commitment to national unity and plans to listen to local public opinion, civic groups and political circles in Gwangju are strongly opposing his visit, stating that "an apology must come first."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the first meeting of the Special Committee for Real Estate Policy Normalization held at the National Assembly on October 22, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On this day, Jang and the People Power Party leadership will begin by holding a meeting with four organizations related to the May 18 Democratic Movement, followed by a visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery. They will then inspect the site of The Hyundai Gwangju complex shopping mall in Im-dong, Buk-gu, and the National AI Data Center in the Cheomdan 3 District, directly reviewing budget items that require local support. Regarding this visit, Jang previously stated, "This week marks my first visit to the Honam region, and I plan to visit once a month," adding, "The People Power Party will take the lead in listening to public opinion and addressing local issues, not just in words but in action."

Prior to this, 81 civic organizations in Gwangju issued a joint statement the previous day, declaring, "Jang Donghyuk, who has disparaged the May 18 Democratic Movement and defended insurrection, must apologize," and criticizing, "Given his words and actions, this visit is far from national unity." The organizations claimed, "Allowing Chun Doohwan to be absent from his defamation trial, thereby delaying proceedings, and defending the nomination of preliminary candidate Do Taewoo, who mentioned the possibility of North Korean involvement in the May 18 Democratic Movement, makes Jang's visit to pay respects to the May Spirits nothing more than a political show."

The Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party of Korea also condemned Jang's visit, stating, "We denounce the political visit of Jang Donghyuk, who insulted the May 18 Democratic Movement," and pointed out, "Before paying respects, he must take responsibility and sincerely apologize for his past remarks that disparaged and distorted the noble values of May 18." They added, "If he pays respects in a perfunctory manner while remaining silent about the insurrection of the Yoon Sukyeol administration, it will be remembered as yet another insult."

Meanwhile, Gwangju-Jeonnam Candlelight Action plans to hold a protest press conference to coincide with Jang's visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery.

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