Prime minister calls Gwangju uprising a proud history
- 관리자
- 2009.05.22
- Hit 3253
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 29th anniversary of the uprising, Han said South Korea is capable of overcoming any difficulty as long as the spirit and lessons of the movement are revived.
"The May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement is a proud history of our country in which the people did not succumb to extreme conditions but cooperated in ultimately achieving democracy," Han said.
The uprising in the southwestern city, about 320 kilometers from Seoul, was crushed in a bloody government crackdown. The regime of then President Chun Doo-hwan, who took power through a military coup in 1979, dispatched paratroopers and tanks to brutally put down the revolt.
According to government data, about 200 people were killed and 1,800 others wounded in the uprising. But unofficial figures put the death toll at more than 2,000.
"I send my deepest consolation to the families of the victims who suffered greatly that day and also deliver the utmost respect to the people of Gwangju and South Jeolla province."
The prime minister also lauded the region's people for their courage in the midst of the struggle, saying that the movement served as a "big cornerstone" for the promotion of democracy in the country.
Han also underscored the importance of sublimating the tragic incident into a rallying point for the nation to overcome the economic crisis and catapult itself onto the international stage.
"In facing an unprecedented global economic crisis, I strongly believe that the people will unite to successfully overcome (the hardships) and create new opportunities," the prime minister said.
From YonhapNews(http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr)