President Lee: "Doing My Utmost to Enshrine May 18 in the Constitution... Establishing a Direct Registration System for Democratic Meritorious Persons"

46th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Commemoration Ceremony
Lee: "Enshrining May 18 in the Constitution, Requesting Bipartisan Cooperation"
Memorial Visit to the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery Before Ceremony

President Lee Jae-myung, marking the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, appealed for bipartisan cooperation from both the ruling and opposition parties, stating, "I will do my utmost to ensure that the spirit of May 18 is enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution." He also pledged to establish a system for official registration of May 18 Democratic Merit Recipients and to transform the former South Jeolla Provincial Office into a sacred site of 'K-democracy.'

Lee: "Enshrinement of May 18 in the Constitution, Requesting Bipartisan Cooperation"

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a commemorative speech at the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement held at the Gwangju May 18 Democratic Square on the 18th. 2026.5.18 Photo by Yonhap News

On this day, President Lee attended his first May 18 Democratic Movement commemoration ceremony since taking office, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung. He described the May 18 Democratic Movement as "a driving force that proved popular sovereignty and a source of pride in Korea's modern history," adding, "To ensure the spirit of May takes deep root in our society, the democratic ideals of the May 18 Democratic Movement must be proudly inscribed in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea." He continued, "As this has always been a promise to the people that transcends political interests, I earnestly request bipartisan cooperation and decisive action from all political parties."

President Lee also emphasized, "We will establish a system for official registration of May 18 Democratic Merit Recipients." This means that if there are no immediate family members to apply on behalf of a merit recipient, the government will directly secure the names and register and honor them. He stated, "The government will become family to each and every victim of state violence," and added, "The nation will take full responsibility to ensure that none of those who defended democracy and the country with indomitable spirit are left alone."

Furthermore, President Lee highlighted that the former South Jeolla Provincial Office was the "final stronghold" of the citizens' army during the May 18 Democratic Uprising, saying, "We will transform it into a living sacred site of K-democracy, where global citizens can learn and remember together." He continued, "Through its inscription as a UNESCO Memory of the World and through Han Kang's novel 'Human Acts,' the May Gwangju has now become a universal value remembered by global citizens." He pledged, "The government will actively support so that the spirit of sacrifice and solidarity, deeply engraved at the former South Jeolla Provincial Office, becomes a source of pride for our republic and a value inherited by future generations."

President Lee also commented on the integration of South Jeolla and Gwangju. He said, "The shining spirit of May 18 has guided Korea toward new changes and hope throughout history, and now it continues as a new challenge in the form of integration between Gwangju and South Jeolla," adding, "I believe the joining of hands between Gwangju and South Jeolla will stand as a new milestone of coexistence and mutual prosperity, and that they will write a new history of balanced development and hope."

Lee: "The government will continuously record, remember, compensate, and honor May 18"

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are participating in the national ceremony at the 46th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising held at the May 18 Democratic Square in Gwangju on the 18th. May 18, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

President Lee stated, "Forty-six years ago, the new military regime brutally trampled the spring of democratization with the boots of dictatorship, ruthlessly massacring sovereign citizens with the very guns and swords entrusted to protect them." He added, "Because of the brutal dictatorship that tried to cover up the truth to conceal their atrocities, countless victims could not rest in peace, and the bereaved families and victims had to endure years of anguish." He continued, "I bow my head in infinite respect and deep mourning before the noble souls of the May Democratic Martyrs who willingly gave themselves for democracy."

He went on to say, "To the merit recipients and bereaved families who have been a beacon of our times through unending tears, I offer my heartfelt respect and condolences." He added, "It was on the strong foundation of the May 18 spirit, which protected human dignity even in the face of cruel violence, that the Republic of Korea was able to walk the path of democracy and prosperity." Addressing the bereaved families, he said, "Because of your presence, our democracy did not collapse at the critical crossroads of our turbulent modern history, and was able to rise again. We will never forget your noble spirit, sacrifice, and devotion."

Additionally, President Lee stressed, "The December 3 Uprising was the unanswered question of May." He said, "Democracy does not come automatically, nor is it automatically preserved," and added, "We have once again learned, right here on the ground, that the force that completes democracy comes only from the earnest desire and practice of the sovereign people." He promised, "So that Gwangju of 1980, which saved today's Korea, can continue to save the future of Korea, the people's government will relentlessly record, remember, compensate, and honor May 18."

President Lee stated, "The memory of May and the spirit of May 18 are not relics of the past," adding, "They are the courage to firmly confront injustice, the solidarity to overcome crises together, and the name of hope for a better tomorrow." He continued, "The people's government will faithfully carry on the spirit of May 18, and boldly move toward the 'nation where the people are the owners' that Gwangju so fervently dreamed of." He pledged, "With the power of freedom, equality, and integration left by May Gwangju, we will overcome the current crisis and do our utmost to hand down a more glorious and brighter future."

Lee, Visit to the Democratic Cemetery: 'Spirit of May 18, a Nation Where the People Are Sovereign'

President Lee Jae-myung is consoling his sister, Eunsook, after paying respects at the grave of martyr Park In-bae at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. May 18, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

This year's commemoration ceremony was held at the May 18 Democratic Square in front of the former South Jeolla Provincial Office in Dong-gu, Gwangju. This is the second time the ceremony has been held at the square in front of the provincial office since the government designated May 18 as a national memorial day in 1997. Normally, the May 18 ceremony has been held at the May 18 National Cemetery. This year, the square was chosen as the venue to commemorate the restoration of the provincial office to its appearance during the uprising. More than 3,000 people attended the ceremony, including May 18 Democratic Merit Recipients and their families, government officials, and members of the public.

Prior to the ceremony, President Lee visited the May 18 Democratic Uprising Memorial Tower at the May 18 National Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. In the guestbook, he wrote, "A world where we live together, a country where the people are sovereign through the spirit of May 18, I will make the Republic of Korea a place where the people are truly happy." He then visited the graves of three individuals, including martyr Park In-bae, who are buried in the May 18 Cemetery, to pay tribute and express his gratitude.

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