Lee Jae-myung, “President Yoon Needs to Take Stern Action Against People Making Outrageous Remarks on the May 18 Democratization Movement”

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung and senior party members watch a performance in a ceremony on the eve of the 43rd anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement held at Geumnam-ro in Dong-gu, Gwangju on May 17. Kwon Do-hyun

On May 18, Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung aimed at President Yoon Suk-yeol and said, “If he was sincere when he said he would succeed the spirit of May 18, then he should first take stern action against government and ruling party figures who make it their business to make outrageous comments.”

On the 43rd anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement in Gwangju, Lee also wrote on social media, “Apologies and remorse are not done with words, but with actions.”

He wrote, “Only the courage to face history squarely can prevent another tragedy,” and argued that there were countless opportunities over the past 43 years but that the conservative government “failed to overcome the gene denying May 18 as if proving that they were the descendants of the massacre.”

Lee argued that the Yoon Suk-yeol government was the same. He said, “He pledged to break away from the denial of May 18 by the conservative governments and succeed the spirit of the May 18 movement, but key figures in his government rushed to pour out outrageous remarks, once again driving a massive nail into the hearts of the people and the citizens of Gwangju.” He stressed, “There is a national consensus that there is no place in the Republic of Korea for politicians who undermine the May 18 movement.”

The majority opposition leader also said, “Like President Yoon’s words, that the May spirit is the spirit of the Constitution itself, the president should fulfill his pledge to stipulate the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the Constitution.” “There is no reason to hesitate since it was a pledge by both the ruling and opposition parties. Let us make this single amendment on the May 18 spirit in time for next year’s parliamentary elections,” he added.

Lee Jae-myung continued and said, “Gwangju even embraced the grandson of the mass murderer, Chun Doo-hwan. Isn’t it now time for politics to wash away the wound?” He claimed, “Only by doing that can we fulfill our responsibility as survivors and ensure that the noble sacrifice by the souls that fell in May does not go in vain.”