[Video] President Yoon's May 18th Memorial Speech... "The spirit of May, the spirit of the constitution of free democracy itself"

President Yoon Seok-yeol said today (18th), "The spirit of May is the restoration of universal values, and it is the very spirit of the Constitution of Liberal Democracy."

President Yun made this statement in his commemorative speech at the '42nd Anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement' held at the May 18 National Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju this morning.

President Yoon added, "We need to let the values ​​of liberal democracy and human rights contained in the spirit of May spread widely throughout the world."

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"Now, Gwangju and Honam must blossom boldly economic achievements on the universal values ​​of liberal democracy and human rights," he said.

President Yoon said, "Gwangju and Honam have played a pioneering role in illuminating the path that the times should take at every turning point in history. do,” he said.

“The value of liberal democracy and human rights is the philosophy of unity that unites our people,” President Yoon said.

The following is the full text of the commemorative speech read by President Yoon.

“Fellow Koreans, people of merit in the May 18 Democratization Movement and their bereaved families, I see you today in Gwangju, the holy land of democracy.

It is the first national anniversary since taking office and the first visit to the region.

The emotion remains.

We stood there with a solemn heart where the spirits of democracy are sleeping.

We pay tribute to the noble sacrifices and bow our heads in peace.

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the people of merit and the bereaved families of the May 18 Democratization Movement who are living with the pain of losing their family, neighbors and friends.

We remember the protests of May 42 years ago, when the values ​​of liberal democracy and human rights were defended with blood.

Facing the pain of that day head-on, we have developed liberal democracy in this land.

The spirit of May is the restoration of universal values ​​and the very spirit of the constitution of liberal democracy.

That spirit belongs to all of us and is a valuable asset of the Republic of Korea.

The spirit of May still commands us to strongly resist any illegal activity that threatens freedom and human rights.

5·18 is a living history that is still in progress.

Responsible inheritance of this is the beginning for the prosperity of our descendants and the country.

We must allow the values ​​of liberal democracy and human rights contained in the spirit of May to spread throughout the world.

We should all be proudly able to enjoy the universal values ​​of freedom and human rights.

No one's freedom and human rights should be neglected.

We must all keep it together.

The responsibility to safeguard and expand these values ​​of freedom and human rights rests entirely in our hands.

Now, Gwangju and Honam must blossom with bold economic achievements based on the universal values ​​of liberal democracy and human rights.

We need to advance the industry based on AI and advanced technology and take a powerful leap forward.

I and the new government will do our best to sublimate the values ​​defended by the Heroes of Democracy so that they can move forward on the road to prosperity.

Gwangju and Honam have played a pioneering role in illuminating the path of the times at every turning point in history.

I am confident that Gwangju and Honam, the cradles of liberal democracy, will take the lead in Korea's journey to make a new leap forward.

Respected citizens of Gwangju, I will firmly uphold the spirit of May.

We promise to open the future of Gwangju wonderfully with you.

The feelings I conveyed to you through a handwritten letter earlier this year will not change.

Once again, we commemorate the spirits of the Democratic Heroes and pray for their rest.

Also, I would like to extend my condolences to the bereaved families and those of merit who silently carried on the spirit of May.

without losing hope

I am deeply grateful for their courage to live steadfastly.

The values ​​of liberal democracy and human rights are the philosophy of unity that unites our people.

Therefore, the spirit of May, which defended liberal democracy with blood, is the cornerstone of national unity.

Let's work together so that the power of justice and truth that May embraces can shine forever beyond the ages.

I am confident that the spirit of May will unite our people and protect us from crises and challenges.

thank you."