President Lee Attends First May 18 Commemoration Ceremony Since Taking Office... "A Country Where the People Are the Masters" in the May 18th National Cemetery Guestbook

Newsis President Lee Jae-myung is comforting the bereaved family after visiting and paying respects at the grave of the late martyr Yang Chang-geun at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. Newsis [Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung attended the 46th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement on the 18th.
Newsis President Lee Jae-myung is comforting the bereaved family after visiting and paying respects at the grave of the late martyr Yang Chang-geun at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. Newsis [Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung attended the 46th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement on the 18th.Newsis President Lee Jae-myung is comforting the bereaved family after visiting and paying respects at the grave of the late martyr Yang Chang-geun at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. Newsis [Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung attended the 46th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement on the 18th.
m. on this day at the May 18 Democracy Square in front of the former Jeonnam Provincial Office in Dong-gu, Gwangju, to pay tribute to the victims of the May 18 Democratization Movement and comfort the bereaved families.
This year's ceremony was held under the theme "May, Embracing the Square Again. " The event embodied the meaning of remembering the solidarity and sacrifice shown in Gwangju in May 1980, and of carrying on and practicing the spirit of May together.
Notably, this commemorative ceremony was held at the 5·18 Democracy Plaza in front of the former South Jeolla Provincial Office, which officially opened on this day following restoration work that has been underway since 2019. 5·18 Democracy Plaza is a historic site where various rallies were held during the May 18 Democratization Movement, using the fountain as a podium.
Approximately 3,000 people attended the ceremony, including those recognized for their contributions to the May 18 Democracy Movement, bereaved families, government officials, and the general public. Prior to the ceremony, President Lee paid respects at the Memorial Tower for the May 18 People's Uprising within the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, together with heads of public organizations and representatives of the bereaved families.
Following this, they visited the graves of three individuals, including Martyr Park In-bae, interred in the May 18 Cemetery to express their condolences and gratitude. The commemorative ceremony will proceed in the following order: national anthem, thematic video, commemorative address and performance, a special performance marking the opening of the former South Jeolla Provincial Office, and the singing of "March for the Beloved.
" The thematic video captures the course of the May 18 Democratization Movement through footage and interviews from that time. Subsequently, three heads of May 18 public veterans' organizations will read a declaration on stage pledging to inherit the spirit of May 18.
During the commemorative performance, actors and theater troupes will recite poems, novels, and diaries symbolizing the spirit of May. As the final item on the agenda, attendees will rise from their seats to sing "March for the Beloved" together.
The May 18 Democratization Movement was a popular uprising that took place from May 18 to 27, 1980, in which the citizens of Gwangju rose up against military dictatorship to defend democracy. The related documents and photographs were inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register on May 25, 2011.
Earlier, President Lee paid respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and wrote "A world where we live together" in the guestbook.
He added, "With the 'May 18 spirit,' I will surely build a nation where the people are the masters and a Republic of Korea where the people are happy together.
" Meanwhile, on the evening of the 17th, the day before the ceremony attended by President Lee, a pre-ceremony event was held at the May 18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, under the theme "May, Toward Everyday Democracy.
" Citizens gathered from across the country reflected on the spirit of May by observing a moment of silence while gazing at the former South Jeolla Provincial Office and singing "March for the Beloved" together.
Newsis President Lee Jae-myung is comforting the bereaved family after visiting and paying respects at the grave of the late martyr Yang Chang-geun at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju on the 18th. Newsis [Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung attended the 46th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the May 18 Democratization Movement on the 18th.
west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter