People Power Party Announces Gwangju Visit Ahead of May 18 Anniversary

Jang Donghyuk to Attend Gwangju Democratic Movement Ceremony
First-term Lawmakers in Their 30s to Visit Democratic Cemetery Again This Year

The People Power Party has announced a visit to Gwangju on May 17, one day before the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

On the 17th, one day before the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, visitors are paying their respects or moving around at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

Chairman Jang, at the Jeonbuk Election Committee launch ceremony and a resolution rally the previous day, praised party members who have remained committed in challenging regions, referring to them as "comrades who dedicate themselves despite hardships." This move is seen as an effort to underscore the party's sincerity in expanding its base ahead of the June 3 local elections.

After taking office as party leader in November last year, Chairman Jang visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery but was met with strong opposition from local residents and was unable to properly pay his respects. Since then, he has pledged to visit the Honam region once a month and has followed through with this commitment.

On this day, Chairman Jang plans to visit his constituency in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, and then head to Gwangju on the 18th to attend the government-hosted ceremony commemorating the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, accompanied by Park Chungkwon, head of the Central Election Committee's Public Relations Division, among others.

Co-chairman Song Eon-seok will first attend the "46th Anniversary Seoul Ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising," organized by the Association of Bereaved Families of the May 18 Democratic Movement and others, at Seoul City Hall on the morning of the 18th.

First-term lawmakers in their 30s will also visit the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery this year, as they did last year. In addition to Director Park Chungkwon, lawmakers Kim Yongtae, Woo Jaejun, Lee Sohee, and Cho Jiyeon plan to visit the Democratic Martyrs’ Cemetery in Mangwol-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, to pay tribute to the victims.

In addition, Jo Kyungtae, the party's longest-serving lawmaker, and Yang Hyangja, the candidate for Gyeonggi Province Governor, will also visit Gwangju.

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