Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attended the 5·18 Democratic Movement commemoration on May 18, expressing condolences while engaging in a heated exchange. Jeong stated, "We must judge the insurrection nominations," to which Jang retorted, "5·18 has become a tool for power expansion."
Jeong arrived at the national cemetery at 8:40 a.m. and paid his respects for about 20 minutes before speaking with reporters. He reiterated the need to resolve the insurrection through victory in the upcoming June 3 local elections.
"Seeing the insurrection party's nominations that still advocate insurrection and shout for Yoon Seok-youl, I prayed to the spirits of the Gwangju democracy martyrs to judge them," Jeong said. "If there is a will from heaven, the insurrection nominations will be sternly judged in the name of history, the constitution, and democracy."
He emphasized the historical significance of the 5·18 Gwangju Democratic Movement and reiterated plans to include its spirit in the preamble of the constitution. "If it weren't for the 5·18 Democratic Movement, the current constitution, created through the June struggle of 1987, would not exist. The martial law of December 3 would have succeeded, and many citizens would still be suffering in a dark tunnel of dictatorship. I deeply thank the spirits of 5·18," he said.
Jeong also expressed regret for failing to include the spirit of 5·18 in the constitution's preamble, stating, "I feel ashamed and sorry to the spirits of Gwangju. However, I will do my best to ensure that the spirit of 5·18 is included in the preamble and that we can never dream of martial law again."
Jeong made remarks seemingly directed at Jang, who was also attending the commemoration. During a campaign meeting earlier that morning, he asked, "It seems that officials from the People Power Party will also attend. Even if you are unhappy and angry, please remain silent."
Jang, who attended the ceremony, acknowledged the significance of May 1980 in preserving South Korea's liberal democracy but criticized the policies of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party. He stated on Facebook, "The true meaning of the 5·18 spirit is noble sacrifice for freedom and human rights, but to them, it is merely a tool for power expansion," labeling the judicial reform proposals pushed by the Lee administration and the Democratic Party as 'bulletproof' and 'removal of political opponents.'
After the ceremony, Jang remarked, "It is truly strange and inappropriate for a president who seeks to eliminate his own trial to read a commemorative speech at the 5·18 site. The spirits were crying out that even the president must face trial if he commits a crime. Lee Jae-myung's speech could not even fill the 5·18 square."
He added, "Our citizens will no longer tolerate the destruction of democracy by Lee Jae-myung. The People Power Party will fight alongside the people with our lives on the line," hinting at a struggle against the ruling party.
Despite Jeong's request for silence during the ceremony, attendees shouted and criticized Jang upon his arrival.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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