"May 18 in the Constitution": National Assembly Speaker and Veterans Minister Speak in Unison on Geumnam-ro

Attending the 46th Anniversary Eve Ceremony of May

Speaker Woo Wonshik: "I Apologize for Not Keeping the Promise of Constitutional Amendment"

Minister Kwon Oeul Delivers First-Ever Congratulatory Address as Government Representative

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul attended the eve ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising together, both emphasizing in unison the need to include the spirit of May in the preamble of the Constitution. As the head of the legislature and a government minister stood together on the stage of a civilian-led eve ceremony and strongly advocated for constitutional amendment, a message of solidarity transcending political factions and camps to carry on the spirit of May resonated throughout Geumnam-ro in Gwangju.

On May 17, at the eve ceremony held in the Geumnam-ro area of Dong-gu, Gwangju, Speaker Woo was the first to take the stage and stated, "The constitutional amendment, which had been anticipated for 39 years, has failed, and we have not kept our promise to inscribe the spirit of May 18 in the Constitution." He added, "I sincerely apologize to the citizens of May and the departed souls."

On the 17th, the eve ceremony for the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising was held at the May 18 Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, where citizens passionately sang "The March for the Beloved." Photo by Min Hyunki

Speaker Woo continued, "Though we've missed this opportunity, our resolve has only grown stronger. The people's demand to enshrine the spirit of May 18 in the Constitution and to establish an institutional barrier so that illegal martial law can never again be contemplated has been made clear." Previously, Speaker Woo, together with six ruling and opposition parties, proposed a constitutional amendment bill specifying the spirit of May 18, but the bill failed to pass earlier this month due to a lack of quorum, following the People Power Party's boycott of the vote and announcement of a filibuster.

At this event, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul became the first-ever minister-level government official to officially attend and deliver a congratulatory address. This marks the first time that a government representative has attended the eve ceremony, which is organized by May 18 organizations and civil society, since its inception as an official event.

Minister Kwon affirmed, "As Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, I have a clear position that the spirit of May 18 must be stipulated in the preamble of the Constitution," and emphasized, "I hope that a constitutional amendment will be achieved promptly through bipartisan agreement." He continued, "The spirit of May, which the citizens of Gwangju cried out for 46 years ago in this place, has become the identity of the Republic of Korea. The government will carry on and help the spirit of May flourish, standing closest to the citizens," he expressed his gratitude.

The eve ceremony began at 5:18 p.m. with a choral rendition of "March for the Beloved" and a moment of silence, followed by a traditional Korean play that reenacted the National Democratic Rally of that era against the backdrop of the fountain in front of the former South Jeolla Provincial Government building.

At 11 a.m. on May 18, the official government ceremony commemorating the 46th anniversary of May 18, hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, will be held at the same site, the 5.18 Democratic Square, under the theme "May, Embracing the Square Once More." This is the first time in six years, and only the second ever, that the government ceremony will be held in the square in front of the former South Jeolla Provincial Government building, the site of the uprising, since 2020.

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