Lawmakers to sing 'March for the Beloved' to support Myanmar protest

Rep. Lee Yong-bin, right, and Rep. Song Young-gil, left, both of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, pose for photos with Myanmarese students at a special photo exhibition supporting pro-democracy protests in Myanmar at Seo District Office in Gwangju, March 16. Courtesy of Rep. Lee Yong-bin

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korean lawmakers will sing “March for the Beloved,” a song representing the May 18 Gwangju pro-democracy movement, in support of anti-coup protests in Myanmar.

Rep. Lee Yong-bin of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) suggested, Sunday, that legislators here sing the song in relay to show their support for pro-democracy protests in Myanmar and condemn the military junta's brutal crackdown on protesters.

“March of the Beloved” was composed in 1981 by then student activist Kim Jong-ryul and the lyrics were from a poem by activist Baek Gi-wan to commemorate the sacrifices of citizens who were killed during the 1980 Gwangju democratic uprising. The song has since been recognized as a tribute to the spirit of democracy and freedom sought by Gwangju citizens.

It has been said that the Gwangju movement shares similarities with the current protests in Myanmar against the military junta, as citizens of Gwangju were also suppressed and killed by a military dictator back in 1980 for their support of democracy.

“I came across the brutality of the military coup in Myanmar during a seminar last week and thought about ways to show solidarity on an international level,” Rep. Lee said. “I thought we could sing March for the Beloved, a song representing the Gwangju pro-democracy movement, to comfort the people of Myanmar and honor the victims of the military crackdown. This will show international attention and solidarity to protesters of Myanmar.”

Lee added that Myanmar's military junta is suppressing protesters violently and Korea should take part in protecting the lives of the protesters as well as Myanmarese people living in Korea.

Lee has been sending out written proposals for the singing campaign to lawmakers regardless of party affiliation to recruit participants through Tuesday.

As of Sunday, DPK lawmakers Song Young-gil, Lee Byung-hoon, Yoon Young-deok, Lee Yong-sun, Jo Seung-lae and Wi Seong-gon showed their intention to participate in the project.

The singing campaign was co-organized by the Gwangju Cultural Foundation and May Hall and will start from members of the National Assembly and then expand to the general public and writers.

When each lawmaker sends a video clip singing the song in Korean, the foundation will combine and edit them for a full song video with Burmese subtitles and post it on social media.