Across the country, celebrations for May 18

Events have begun across the country to commemorate the spirit and meaning of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, which marks its 31st anniversary this year.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju held a memorial mass at Gwangju’s Nam-dong Catholic Church at 2 p.m. Monday, led by Archbishop Hyginus Kim Hee-joong and attended by about 500 believers.

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A committee to commemorate in Seoul the 31st anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement will also begin its memorial ceremonies with a memorial exhibit at Seoul Square at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The exhibit will show off photos and art taken or created between 1980 and 1997, as well as writings, drawings and photographs that received awards in the May 18 Memorial Youth Competition. At 11 am Wednesday, they will hold a memorial ceremony and pass out “May 18 Rice Balls.” At 7:30 p.m., they will hold a memorial concert to mark the 31st anniversary of the Gwangju Democratic Movement and the 20th anniversary of the May 1991 Struggle. Performing will be singers Han Yeong-ae, Jeon Gyeong-ok, Son Byeong-hwi and the group Kkotdaji. Inquires can be made to (02)774-5518 or www.518seoul.org.

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Participants will debate fiercely the topics of the meaning and importance of citizens’ political movements in South Korea, the achievements and tasks of citizens’ political movements currently underway, public attitudes and political conditions as seen through the results of the April 27 by-election, plans for a proper opposition alliance and selecting unified opposition candidates that can move voters and the formation of democratic citizens’ political movements.

link:
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/478345.html