President Lee: "My Life Changed Thanks to Journalists Who Revealed the Truth About May 18"

Reflects on May 18 at Hinzpeter International Journalism Award
"Resolves to lead a life that helps society"
"Journalists' records are a force that can stop injustice"

President Lee Jae Myung on Nov. 5 expressed his respect and solidarity with journalists who risk their lives to report in pursuit of the truth. He recalled that he learned the truth thanks to those who revealed the horrors of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in 1980, and that his life changed as a result. President Lee said journalists' records are a powerful force that can stop injustice and lead the way to peace.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at a meeting with senior secretaries and aides at the Blue House on Nov. 5, 2026. Yonhap News

That day, President Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "For some people, a single event can become a major turning point in life. For me, that was the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in 1980."

He continued, "There were people who worked to reveal the horrors of May 1980, which had been concealed and distorted by the state and the media. Thanks to them, I learned the truth, and my life changed as I thought, 'I should go down the path that will make my life most helpful to society.'" He particularly highlighted the role of those who brought the horrors in Gwangju, concealed or distorted by the state and the media, to the attention of the world, emphasizing the historical significance of documenting and conveying the truth.

President Lee also mentioned the 2017 film A Taxi Driver. The film's real-life inspiration for the foreign passenger, the late German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter, secretly entered Gwangju despite strict military control, filmed the horrors of May 18 and brought them to the world's attention. President Lee wrote, "Like Hinzpeter, there are video journalists today who risk their lives to report from conflict zones around the world, where democracy and human rights are under threat."

Expressing regret that he could not attend the Hinzpeter International Journalism Award ceremony held in Gwangju that day, he said, "I sent a congratulatory message expressing my deep respect and solidarity with the courageous journalists who bring truths trapped in darkness out into the world." He added, "The records of journalists who reveal the truth in places where silence is imposed are a powerful force that can stop injustice and lead the way to peace," and called on the public to pay attention.

In an official congratulatory message sent that day to the 6th Hinzpeter International Journalism Award ceremony, President Lee also emphasized the role of the media and the importance of carrying on the spirit of May. He said, "The Hinzpeter International Journalism Award honors the courage of the late journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter, who revealed the horrors of May 1980, and carries on the spirit of May embodied by the citizens of Gwangju, who shed light on democracy." He added, "I hope this award will serve as a strong support for courageous journalists who bring truths trapped in darkness out into the world."

He also expressed his gratitude and respect for the award recipients and video journalists who risked their lives with cameras in conflict zones, and wished that the messages conveyed by this year's winning works would help further strengthen peace and solidarity around the world.

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