"May of Gwangju Captured in Calligraphy": 500 Calligraphers Honor the Spirit of May 18

Kim Youngrok: "The Drive to Enshrine the May Spirit in the Constitution Will Not Stop"

Calligraphers from across the country gathered at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju, expressing the noble spirit of May through the tip of their brushes.

Jeollanam-do Province announced that Governor Kim Youngrok attended the 24th National May 18 Calligraphy Contest held on the 9th at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, and expressed his commitment to carrying on the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Jointly hosted and organized by the Gwangju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the May 18 Democratization Movement Injured Association, this contest was established to promote the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement and the values of democracy through calligraphy.

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, pays tribute to the May 18 democratic spirits along with key guests at the ‘24th National May 18 Calligraphy Contest 2026’ held at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju on the 9th. [Photo by Jeonnam Province]

On this day, more than 500 calligraphers from across the country, along with officials from veterans’ and May organizations, attended the event to reflect on the meaning of democracy, human rights, and peace.

This year’s event was especially significant as it marked the first time the Governor of Jeollanam-do participated in the National Calligraphy Contest.

It is being evaluated that Jeollanam-do has sent a clear message, both internally and externally, of its intention to more actively promote the nationwide recognition of the May spirit and its inclusion in the preamble of the Constitution.

In his congratulatory address, Governor Kim stated, “Since its inception in 2003, the National May 18 Calligraphy Contest has been a valuable platform where countless calligraphers remember May through their art and help spread the values of democracy. I feel deeply distressed and sorrowful that the constitutional amendment to include the May 18 spirit in the preamble was scrapped amid political strife.”

He further emphasized, “Just as Gwangju in 1980 endured hardships to reclaim truth and honor, the path to enshrining the May spirit in the Constitution will never cease. I hope the ink fragrance of calligraphers will resonate as a major force correcting distorted history and building a just Republic of Korea.”

Meanwhile, the National May 18 Calligraphy Contest, which began in 2003, has established itself as a nationwide calligraphy and literary painting competition. Each year, it serves as an event to artistically carry on the historical significance of the May 18 Democratization Movement and the values of democracy.

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