Jang Dong-hyeok Faces Criticism Over May 18th Cemetery Visit

People's Power Party (PPP) Representative Jang Dong-hyeok visited Gwangju on the 46th anniversary of the May 18th Democratic Uprising, but some opposition figures raised controversy over his eligibility to pay respects at the May 18th National Cemetery, citing his insufficient remorse for the past 'December 3rd rebellion' incident.

Min Hyung-bae, a Democratic Party candidate for special mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju, criticized Jang's visit as a 'calculated schedule to play the victim, perhaps after being hit with eggs.' Park Hyun-ok, standing vice president of the bereaved families association of May 18th democratic martyrs, questioned Jang's eligibility to visit, pointing out the PPP's decision to abstain from the vote on the constitutional amendment to include the spirit of May 18th in the constitution.

Jang Dong-hyeok visited Gwangju for the first time since taking office as party leader last November, but was unable to pay his respects and returned due to opposition from civic groups.

In a radio interview, Park Hyun-ok, standing vice president of the bereaved families association of May 18th democratic martyrs, questioned the eligibility of PPP lawmakers to visit the cemetery, stating that the PPP could not have decided to abstain from the vote as a party if they genuinely wished to enshrine the spirit of May 18th in the constitution.

On May 16th, a constitutional amendment bill to include the spirit of the Gwangju Democratic Uprising and the Busan-Masan Democratic Protests in the preamble of the constitution was presented at a plenary session of the National Assembly. However, the PPP abstained from the vote as a party, resulting in the bill failing to pass due to insufficient voting members.