Kang Gijeong Urges National Assembly to "Enshrine May 18 Spirit in the Constitution" and Make Bipartisan Decision on Amendment

Joint Press Conference with Spirit Succession Committee on the 20th

"Human Dignity and Peaceful Coexistence Must Be Included in the Constitutional Preamble"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong and the May 18 Democratization Movement Spirit Succession Committee called for the swift passage of a constitutional amendment by the National Assembly to include the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble of the Constitution. At a joint press conference held on the 20th, they emphasized, "Including the spirit of the May 18 movement in the preamble of the Constitution is a national duty that can no longer be delayed," and urged a decision that transcends political factions.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung held a joint press conference on the afternoon of the 20th at the City Hall briefing room with members of the 5.18 Democratic Movement Spirit Inheritance Committee, urging the inclusion of the spirit of the 5.18 Democratic Movement in the preamble of the Constitution. Photo by Song Bohyun

They stated, "What the citizens of Gwangju protected to the very end in May 1980, in the face of brutal military force, was the universal value of human dignity and the common aspiration of humanity for democracy." They further commented, "The world of unity achieved by May 18 serves as a model of 'peaceful coexistence' that the entire world should strive to realize." They assessed that "engraving the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the Constitution, which stands as the highest norm of the nation, is the path for Korea to become a true leader in peace and democracy."

They went on to say, "Today, the world faces the grave threats of uncontrollable war crimes and a return to authoritarianism." They added, "At a time when the destruction of civilization is threatened and inhumane war crimes are being committed, the call for an end to war and the establishment of peace is an urgent and desperate plea for help from humanity."

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong held a joint press conference with the May 18 Democratization Movement Spirit Succession Committee at the city hall briefing room on the afternoon of the 20th, urging the National Assembly to approve the constitutional amendment bill to include the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the Constitution. Photo by Song Bohyun

They urged, "The National Assembly must declare to the world that Korea is a 'bastion of peace' by including the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the Constitution, immediately pass the constitutional amendment, eradicate inhumane historical distortions, and move forward toward a future of genuine reconciliation and integration."

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