Politicians see parallels to Gwangju in Myanmar uprising

President Moon Jae-in's Facebook message on the commemoration of May 18 Gwangju pro-democracy movement. Moon expressed support for anti-military junta protests in Myanmar. Yonhap

Rival parties rush to Gwangju for commemoration of pro-democracy movement

By Kang Seung-woo

On the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the 1980 pro-democracy movement in Gwangju, Tuesday, politicians, including President Moon Jae-in, showed support for the citizens of Myanmar in their continued fight against a military junta to restore democracy and freedom.

The Gwangju uprising against the military regime of Chun Doo-hwan, who seized control of the country in a Dec. 12, 1979, coup, began in the southwestern city, May 18, 1980. Over 10 days, more than 200 civilians were killed in a bloody military crackdown that included attacks by helicopter gunships

Watching the Myanmarese people staging protests against the military, which seized power in a Feb. 1 coup, Koreans have seen that the unrest, including a nationwide crackdown and the shooting of protesters, bears similarities to what happened in Gwangju more than four decades ago.

"We are seeing yesterday's Gwangju in today's Myanmar," Moon said on Facebook, referring to the military's use of violence against pro-democracy protesters back in 1980.

Recalling Jurgen Hinzpeter, a German journalist who filmed what happened in Gwangju and helped the outside world learn about the tragic incident, the President added, "I eagerly hope that Gwangju and Hinzpeter's journalist spirit will offer hope to Myanmar."

Moon, who attended a commemorative ceremony last year, did not participate in this year's event.

In March, the president also condemned the violent crackdown on protests in the Southeastern Asian country and called for the release of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the onset of the coup.

Recently appointed Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, presiding over his first Cabinet meeting that was held at Gwangju City Hall, also expressed hopes for a victory for Myanmar citizens against military rule.

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"Even now, March for the Beloved is resounding in Gwangju, in support of anti-coup protests in Myanmar," the prime minister said during the anniversary ceremony at the May 18th National Cemetery. The song is a well-known pro-democracy protest anthem here that commemorates the citizens who were killed during the Gwangju uprising.

"I hope that those who are fighting corruption, injustice and threats to democracy not only in Myanmar but around the world will win," he added.

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo said that like Gwangju 41 years ago, Myanmar was engaged in a fight for democracy.

"To the Myanmarese people, Gwangju is a proof of hope for democracy," the governor said on Facebook. "They will win in the end, and 3.4 million people in South Gyeongsang Province are supporting them."

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, left, comforts a bereaved family member at the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju, Tuesday, after attending a memorial ceremony to mark the 41st anniversary of the Gwangju pro-democracy movement. Yonhap

Meanwhile, an assortment of ruling and opposition politicians, including presidential hopefuls, visited Gwangju on the occasion of the anniversary, mainly to appeal to public sentiment in the city ahead of next year's election.

While the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) flocked to the city to attend the memorial ceremony, potential candidates, particularly those from the DPK, also traveled to Gwangju, which serves as a political stronghold for the liberal party together with the provinces of North and South Jeolla.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who visited Gunsan and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province, Monday, paid tribute to those who lost their lives at the cemetery and held a meeting with representatives from the city's five district offices regarding a universal basic income, one of his campaign pledges.

Following his visit to Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, Monday, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also visited Gwangju, to meet with civic and religious groups, and businessmen to gauge public sentiment of the city.

Rep. Lee Nak-yon, a former South Jeolla Province governor and ex-prime minister, visited Gwangju and adjacent regions last week, stopping by the national cemetery during his four-day stay.

PPP lawmakers also made the trip to Gwangju, trying to break away from the perception that they belonged to a "party of the Yeongnam region" ― comprised of North and South Gyeongsang provinces.

Yoo Seong-min, a former four-term lawmaker, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council Hall, Monday, while Reps. Sung Il-jong and Chung Woon-chun were invited by the May 18 Bereaved Family Association to the anniversary ceremony thanks to their contribution in passing bills at the National Assembly regarding the pro-democracy movement.

Yoon Seok-youl, a former prosecutor-general and leading presidential candidate in public polls, did not travel to Gwangju, but told media outlets that the pro-democracy movement was an "ongoing living history." He is also said to be planning to visit at an appropriate time.

The presidential election is scheduled to take place, March 9, 2022.

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