Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party (PPP), and other party leaders visited Gwangju starting Sunday, one day before the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. Although Jang was forced to turn back without completing his tribute at the May 18th National Cemetery due to opposition from Gwangju residents after taking office, he has repeatedly visited the city to highlight his "sincerity." However, observers note that Honam's view of the PPP remains unfavorable, as the party previously blocked the passage of a constitutional amendment that included enshrining the May 18 spirit in the constitution's preamble and tightening martial law requirements.
The day before, Jang attended the launch ceremony and victory rally of the North Jeolla Province election committee, calling party members "comrades who endure attacks with their entire bodies yet remain devoted," encouraging members who have held their ground in difficult territory and reiterating the strategic importance of the Honam region. After taking office as party leader in November last year, Jang faced fierce opposition from residents during his first visit to the May 18th National Cemetery and was unable to properly pay his respects, but he subsequently pledged to visit Honam once a month.
Jang plans to attend the government-hosted May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement ceremony on Monday alongside Park Choong-kwon, head of the Central Election Committee's public relations division.
Song Eon-seog, co-chair of the election committee, is scheduled to attend a victory rally in Gangwon Province at the same time, so he will first attend the "46th Anniversary May 18 Democratization Movement Seoul Ceremony" hosted by the May 18 Bereaved Families Association and other organizations at Seoul City Hall in the morning.
The party's most senior lawmaker, Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae, along with first-term lawmakers in their 30s including Reps. Kim Yong-tae, Lee So-hee, and Cho Ji-yeon, as well as Yang Hyang-ja, the party's candidate for Gyeonggi governor, are also scheduled to attend the Gwangju ceremony.
In particular, Rep. Cho plans to individually pay tribute at the National and Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery in Mangwol-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju.
"The party is still suffering at the hands of insurrection forces. I ask the citizens of Gwangju not to turn their backs on the People Power Party and to give us their attention and support so that we can take the right path," Cho said.
