Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, and Yang Hyang-ja, the People Power Party candidate, visited Gwangju on May 18 to honor the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising and pledged to uphold the spirit of May. Jo Eung-cheon, the Reform Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, also expressed his commitment to reflecting the May spirit in governance.
Choo and Yang paid their respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in northern Gwangju before attending the 46th anniversary ceremony at May 18th Democracy Square in eastern Gwangju.
At the ceremony, Choo stated, "We were able to properly honor the spirit of May 18 for the first time after achieving a change in government and overcoming the insurrection." She added, "Because we were given the strength to overcome the insurrection, I feel that all citizens of South Korea are survivors of May 18. I am grateful."
Choo also emphasized her commitment to upholding the spirit of May, stating on Facebook before the ceremony, "The May spirit of Gwangju has protected today's South Korea. I will engrave that spirit in our constitution and carry it forward with the people of Gyeonggi Province."
Yang, who attended high school in Gwangju, paid tribute to the victims and stated, "No one should ever again bring the military into politics." She emphasized the importance of remembering the tears of Gwangju, asserting, "We must never forget that today's South Korea stands on the pain and sacrifices of our democracy."
Yang also pledged to serve as a bridge between the People Power Party and the Honam region, stating, "Without support from Honam, there is no future for conservatism. We must confront and overcome the significant divide between the sentiments of the Honam people and the People Power Party that I felt in Gwangju."
After completing his schedule in Gyeonggi, Jo issued a statement expressing his dismay at the political arena's continued use of the May 18 incident as a tool for political attacks or as a means of absolution.
He stated, "To create the nation that the spirits of May dreamed of, I will seek the path forward with the urgent hearts of those who yearned for democracy half a century ago, navigating through every alley. I promise to listen to the voices of the people and reflect the urgency of May in our policies and governance."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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