GWANGJU, South Korea.May 21 (DR.MD Moon)— A delegation from Cheon-Gun-Man-Ma, a national coalition of defence and security experts in South Korea, paid tribute to the victims of the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement in a significant commemorative visit marking the uprising’s 45th anniversary.
Led by Song Young-moo, former Minister of National Defence, and Boo Suk-jong, former Chief of Naval Operations, the delegation began their visit with a solemn tribute at the National May 18th Cemetery, alongside representatives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation.
Following the memorial ceremony, the two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in uncovering the full truth behind the 1980 events and preserving the democratic legacy of the uprising. Song remarked, “I regretted not having visited this sacred site while in office. Today’s visit brings me a sense of peace, and I hope for continued collaboration between our groups.”
Engagement with bereaved families and youth voices
The itinerary continued with a visit to the Association of Bereaved Families of Fallen Soldiers in Gwangju’s Seo-gu district. During a candid roundtable discussion, Boo Suk-jong emphasised the importance of honouring the sacrifices of those who perished in service to the nation, pledging to reflect their families’ concerns in national remembrance and veterans’ policy.
In a separate dialogue held at Chosun University’s Rose Garden Pavilion, the delegation met with military studies students to hear their views on current defence policies. Student concerns included demands for expanded scholarships, career support for junior officers, and post-service employment pathways.
Choi Hyun-guk, former Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and now the delegation’s standing chairperson, reassured the students that their voices would be represented in future policy discussions: “Your contributions as students and future officers are invaluable. We are committed to reflecting your aspirations in the next administration’s priorities.”
Regional media visit and policy dialogue
The final leg of the visit included a stop at The Gwangju Daily, one of the region’s most prominent newspapers. The delegation observed newsroom operations and held a dialogue session with editors and journalists, including Editor-in-Chief Choi Kwon-il.
Lee Seong-chun, standing committee member of the group, stated: “We are committed to relaying the unfiltered voices of the people in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province directly into the national policy-making process, especially in the lead-up to the 21st presidential election.”
About Cheon-Gun-Man-Ma
Cheon-Gun-Man-Ma, meaning “A Thousand Loyal Patriots,” is a civilian-led coalition of retired generals and officers, former intelligence and police officials, security analysts, and journalists. United by a shared vision for a strong national defence, peaceful reunification, and democratic consolidation on the Korean peninsula, the group provides policy consultation and public outreach in support of South Korea’s democratic values. The organisation currently expresses its support for the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, integrating grassroots perspectives into its strategic policy initiatives.
