Gwangju Civic Groups Vow Strong Action for May 18 Spirit in Constitution

Gwangju's civic society is raising its voice with renewed urgency, demanding that the National Assembly finally enshrine the spirit of the May 18th Democratization Movement in the preamble of the constitution. The May 18th Spirit Succession Committee, a coalition of prominent Gwangju organizations, has issued a strong statement, calling on lawmakers to transcend partisan interests and pass the constitutional amendment bill without further delay. This is not merely a local issue for Gwangju; it is framed as a matter of national and even global significance.

“

The National Assembly must pass the constitutional amendment bill to enshrine the spirit of May 18 in the constitution.

The committee articulates that the sacrifices made by Gwangju citizens in May 1980, facing down brutal state violence, were a stand for universal human dignity and the pursuit of democracy. In a world increasingly threatened by uncontrollable conflicts and authoritarianism, they argue, enshrining the May 18th spirit is South Korea's rightful response to the global call for peace. This perspective elevates the movement beyond a historical event to a living principle that resonates with contemporary global challenges, positioning South Korea as a beacon of peace.

“

What the citizens of Gwangju defended to the end in May 1980, facing down the terrifying guns and swords, were the universal values of human dignity and the common human aspiration for democracy.

This push for constitutional recognition is seen as a "task of the times" and an "unavoidable duty" assigned by the people to the National Assembly. The coalition, comprising over 30 organizations including the May 18 Memorial Foundation and Gwangju City Council, is preparing for intensified actions. Protests, including a tent sit-in and a head-shaving ceremony, are planned in front of the National Assembly, coinciding with its plenary sessions. They also plan a joint rally with the participants of the Busan-Masan Democracy Movement, linking different struggles for democracy in South Korean history.

“

Enshrining the spirit of May 18 in the constitution is the Republic of Korea's rightful response to the call of humanity yearning for world peace.

The path forward, however, is fraught with political hurdles. While a constitutional amendment bill incorporating the May 18th and Busan-Masan movements was proposed by six parties (excluding the ruling People Power Party), its passage requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. This means at least ten lawmakers from the People Power Party must lend their support. The upcoming June 3rd local elections could potentially be held alongside a national referendum on constitutional revision if the bill passes the assembly by early May. The Gwangju perspective emphasizes that this is a critical moment to solidify the democratic foundations of the nation, a sentiment that resonates deeply within the city that bore the brunt of the struggle.

“

The enshrinement of the spirit of May 18 in the constitution is a task of the times that can no longer be delayed and an unavoidable duty imposed by the sovereign people on the National Assembly.