Only LKP leaders absent in Gwangju
Two ladies prepare for a reenactment of the May, 19, 1980, pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju on the eve of its 39th anniversary, Friday. Yonhap
Concerns rise over Hwang Kyo-ahn's planned visit, May 18
By Yi Whan-woo
The leaders of four of the five major parties, with the exception of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), gathered in Gwangju, Friday, on the eve of the 39th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement in 1980.
They joined events held to commemorate the victims of a military crackdown at the sites of protests 39 years ago in downtown Gwangju.
LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn and floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won, instead, joined a rally in Daejeon to continue to protest against President Moon Jae-in.
This was the fifth in a series of nationwide rallies organized by the LKP since Hwang was elected the party’s leader in February.
Hwang plans to visit Gwangju tomorrow to attend an anniversary ceremony, along with the leaders of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the Bareunmirae Party, the Party for Democracy and Justice and the Justice Party.
The citizens of Gwangju, however, largely opposed Hwang’s visit, being resentful at the party’s lack of action against a number of LKP lawmakers who recently made derogatory remarks about participants in the uprising. Hwang was met with fierce protests when he first visited Gwangju as LKP chairman, May 3.
They believe the party is associated with attempts by far-right groups to distort the movement and justify a crackdown on the protesters.
“The leaders of the DPK, the Bareunmirae Party, the Party for Democracy and Justice and the Justice Party honored the victims and called for justice in uncovering the truth hidden behind the 1980 massacre,” said an organizer of the festival held on the eve of the anniversary.
Prior to the festival in downtown Gwangju, the political leaders went on a march with 1,000 citizens. They walked along the streets where unarmed civilians stood against Chun’s rule before they were attacked by paratroopers with tanks and helicopters.
In Daejeon, Hwang was joined by LKP floor leader Na Kyung-won and other major party officials, chanting “Stop Moon Jae-in, the people will judge him.”
Hwang insisted on going to Gwangju, saying “It’s my duty as the leader of the main opposition party.”
“I won’t step out of the way but will face difficulty head-on. If I am rebuked by the citizens of Gwangju, I will certainly take it.”
Hwang said his party should no longer “emotionally hurt the victims of the Gwangju Democratization Movement,” adding, “The uprising should be assessed in the right manner and measures should be taken accordingly.
He said the party was taking steps punish lawmakers Kim Jin-tae, Lee Jong-myeong and Kim Soon-rye, who have stirred up controversy by distorting facts and defaming the Gwangju Democratization Movement and its participants.