CEO Jang Dong-hyuk. Yonhap News. 

Poet and ColumnistIt appears that Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, visited the 5·18 Cemetery and suffered severe humiliation. 

This incident was widely reported by left-leaning media outlets. The coverage was predominantly characterized by mockery, as if to say, "How dare you, someone like you, come to the 5·18 Cemetery?" To put it bluntly, his visit was a futile endeavor.

Gwangju, and especially the 5·18 Cemetery, is a place that does not need to be visited. While there are hundreds of reasons why, the most important is that Gwangju is not the Gwangju of the past. Gwangju has become a city of disgrace, having turned its back on liberal democracy due to pro-Juche politicians and officials who colluded with the left.

Lee Seok-ki is a recipient of the 5·18 award. He is an individual who nurtured and led a movement aimed at bombing South Korea's gas storage facilities, power plants, and other key installations for North Korea during a North Korean invasion. As a result, the Unified Progressive Party was dissolved, and Lee Seok-ki paid the price for his treason for seven years in prison. Lee Seok-ki was a spy, specifically a self-radicalized spy from the pro-Juche faction.

Gwangju and 5·18 honor such an individual as a distinguished figure. Therefore, one must question why he would visit such a place. Regardless of who visits, Gwangju does not welcome those who are not on their side. This is because they have chosen isolation and dogma.

Furthermore, Gwangju and 5·18 laud individuals like Lee Seok-ki, a spy, as their own. For the leader of the People Power Party, which symbolizes South Korea's liberal right, to visit such a place is a grave misjudgment.

While Jang Dong-hyuk's visit to Gwangju could be described as political rhetoric or a maneuver, it has only become an object of ridicule. There are places where not everything is tolerated, even for politicians. Gwangju is a city with no room for alternative choices.

Therefore, the person who speaks out against what is wrong must now lead South Korea. In the current reality, it is right to refuse even if the 5·18 faction in Gwangju begs for a visit. A firm line must be drawn, stating that what is wrong is wrong.

Regardless of the advice given by Jang Dong-hyuk's aides, if this was political showmanship, the scene of humiliation will only further highlight the reality of Gwangju. Perhaps this incident can serve as an opportunity to inform the public how necessary it is to sever ties with the fakes and revive the truth.

Currently, 5·18 resides in the negative realm in the hearts of the people. The protagonists of liberal democracy who were present at the time have disappeared, and only political ideology and self-interest now dominate the streets.

It is Gwangju's tragedy that forces leaning towards North Korea have taken control. While one might politely refer to it as ideological bias, a direct assessment reveals that 5·18 is dominated by forces like Lee Seok-ki. There is no need to even mention Han Myeong-sook or Lee Hae-chan. The group that erected the statue of Jeong Yu-seong is sufficient evidence.

Gwangju and 5·18 have become places where the 5·18 event is idolized, people parasitize under its shadow, and receive substantial compensation, even up to the fourth round. To this, one can add that individuals who never existed have become honored citizens and live in luxury. Gwangju can now be described as a liberation zone for the left-wing forces.

Gwangju's true tragedy is that it has become a red city, stained with treason and disgrace. Therefore, do not claim to visit Gwangju for the sake of South Korea. If you wish to do good for Gwangju, it is a more urgent and righteous task to liberate the citizens of Gwangju from the pro-Juche forces.

From now on, do not visit Gwangju for political purposes. If you wish to visit, come after apprehending at least one more spy like Lee Seok-ki. It was also 5·18 honorees who drove agricultural machinery across Namtaeryeong during the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The author remembers the people who dispersed and gathered with the wind on streets filled with tear gas. And I remember the mothers in Yangdong Market who offered rice balls while witnessing the violence inflicted upon my neighbors. Forty years have passed, so they have all likely passed away by now. 

Therefore, do not come to Gwangju again. The lovely people from that time are no longer here. And thus, do not invoke 5·18. Do not worship the fakes, and do not be deceived any further. I implore you, if your life is tolerable, do not climb Mudeungsan. Only come if your heart is empty.

The author was someone who urged that 5·18 be buried in history and that we forever depart from the tragedy. And I am someone who buried the memories of Gwangju from that time far away.

However, innocence has vanished, and 5·18 has become a past glory stolen by dirty political opportunists. Therefore, do not visit Gwangju. This is a land of ruins where innocence has disappeared. 

However, only those who can forget, no matter what it is, as time passes, should come to Gwangju. 

Jeong Jae-hak, Poet and Columnist