Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized on May 18 that the upcoming local elections must serve as a judgment against insurrection forces that threaten constitutional order. He expressed his determination to restore democracy during the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement.
Speaking at a central election campaign committee meeting in Gwangju, Jung stated, "Without the experience of the May 18 Democratization Movement, there would be no current South Korea. The Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party will do our utmost to bear the historical weight and responsibility." He pledged to write a victorious history that judges the insurrection forces and restores democracy in the local elections.
Jung further noted, "If it weren't for the May 18 Democratization Movement, we would not have been able to prevent the December 3 martial law." He highlighted the historical significance of the May 18 movement.
He explained, "During the December 3 martial law and insurrection, if the current constitution had not existed, we would not have been able to prevent the martial law. The democratic struggle of 1987, which created that constitution, was possible because of the May 18 Democratization Movement."
Jung added, "The strength that allowed us to overcome the current December 3 martial law and insurrection comes from Gwangju in May 1980. We are alive today thanks to the spirits of Gwangju."
Additionally, the Democratic Party hinted at plans to reintroduce a constitutional amendment to include the spirit of the May 18 movement, which was recently blocked by opposition from the People Power Party.
Jung expressed, "I deeply apologize for not being able to include the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the constitution. Including the spirit of May 18 in the constitution is the aspiration of the majority of the people who defended democracy. We will do our utmost until the end."
Han Byeong-do, the floor leader, also stated, "The Democratic Party wanted to include the spirit of the May 18 movement in the preamble of the constitution, but it could not be realized due to opposition from the People Power Party. I promise before the spirits of May that the Democratic Party will promptly reintroduce the constitutional amendment to ensure that the spirit of May 18 is included in the preamble of the constitution."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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