Political Parties Gather in Gwangju Ahead of May 18... Spotlight on "Spirit of May" Messages

Ruling and Opposition Leaders and Lawmakers Head to Gwangju
for Eve Ceremony and Commemoration

National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik Also Schedules Two Days in Gwangju,
Including Visit to Koryoin Village and Memorial Sites

First Commemoration Since the Failure to Enshrine the May 18 Spirit in the Constitutional Preamble

As the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement approaches, both the ruling and opposition parties are gathering en masse in Gwangju. From the eve ceremony to the main commemoration, the leadership and members of major political parties have scheduled visits to Gwangju, intensifying the competition over political messaging regarding the “spirit of May.” In particular, this year’s events come right after constitutional amendment discussions—specifically, the proposal to include the spirit of May 18 in the preamble—failed to pass the National Assembly, drawing attention to the positions each party will announce.

According to political circles on the 17th, the Democratic Party of Korea’s leadership, including Representative Jeong Cheongrae and Floor Leader Han Byungdo, as well as other members, will attend the eve ceremony held at May 18th Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, this afternoon. Min Hyungbae, the candidate for the Special Mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integration in the June 3rd local elections, and Im Moonyoung, the candidate for the Gwangsan-eul by-election, will also join the event.

On the afternoon of the 17th, citizens gathered at the 46th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Commemoration Eve Ceremony held at May 18 Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, enjoying performances and events together. Photo by Bohyun Song

The Democratic Party leadership plans to pay their respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 18th, before attending the main commemoration.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik will also be in Gwangju starting today. His schedule includes visiting the Koryoin Village, paying tribute at the May 18th Democratic Cemetery and the Mangwoldong Cemetery for National and Democratic Martyrs, and attending the eve ceremony. On the 18th, he is also scheduled to participate in the commemoration, attend the opening ceremony of the Garden of Remembrance at Chonnam National University, and deliver a lecture at the Yongbong Forum.

The People Power Party leadership, including Representative Jang Donghyuk, will visit Gwangju as well. Other key figures, such as Yang Hyangja—who is running for Gyeonggi Province Governor and previously served as a National Assembly member for Gwangju Seo-gu-eul during the 20th Assembly—have scheduled to attend the commemoration. In addition, first-term lawmakers in their 30s, including Kim Yongtae, Kim Jaeseop, Park Chungkwon, Woo Jaejun, and Cho Jiyeon, will visit Gwangju again this year to pay their respects at the May 18 Cemetery and attend the commemoration, as they did last year.

From the Rebuilding Korea Party, Floor Leader Seo Wangjin will attend both the eve ceremony and the commemoration, while Representative Cho Kuk, who is running in the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election in Gyeonggi Province, also plans to attend the commemoration. From the Basic Income Party, Central Election Committee Chairperson Yong Hyein and Gwangsan-eul by-election candidate Shin Jihae will participate in both events. Leaders from the Progressive Party, Reform Party, and Justice Party have also planned their own visits to Gwangju.

This year’s commemoration is the first national memorial event held since discussions to include the spirit of May 18 in the Constitution’s preamble fell through. Although the six major parties had pushed for constitutional reform to coincide with the June 3rd local elections, ongoing clashes during the National Assembly’s plenary session ultimately derailed the effort. As the political sphere gathers in Gwangju, both the local community and the nation are closely watching what messages will be delivered and how the “spirit of May” will be interpreted and carried forward.

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