Attendees sing the national anthem at the 5·18 Fallen Military and Police Commemorative Ceremony held at the National Seoul Cemetery's Memorial Hall in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on May 18, 2024. The ceremony, hosted by the 5·18 Military and Police Honor Restoration Committee and organized by the National Defense Federation of All Military Comrades, was held to comfort the souls of 27 individuals buried in the 28th and 29th sections of the National Cemetery and to urge the restoration of honor for the fallen military and police personnel. [Photo by Reporter Heo Gyeom]

The weight of death was different for the 27 soldiers and police officers who gave their lives while trying to protect citizens' lives and property from rioters who stole reserve forces' weapons during the 5·18 Uprising in 1980. 

This year's memorial ceremony, which has been held in solitude without a single government official in attendance each year, is scheduled to take place at 2 PM on Monday the 18th at the Memorial Hall of the National Seoul Cemetery, with bereaved families and former comrades gathered. (Dongjak Station: Subway Line 4/9, Exit 4/8) 

The Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command Comrades Association - 5·18 Military and Police Honor Restoration Committee will hold the 46th 5·18 Fallen Military and Police Commemorative Ceremony to remember and honor the noble sacrifices of those who died heroically while suppressing an armed rebellion. 

The year after 5·18, in 1981, the Supreme Court ruled the actions of the martial law forces as "riot suppression." However, 16 years later, in 1997, the Supreme Court made the opposite judgment, calling it a "state rebellion." Furthermore, in December 2020, the Moon Jae-in administration reclassified 22 fallen martial law soldiers as having died in the line of duty. Despite being shot and killed by rioters, their status was lowered to that of deaths in traffic accidents during official duties. 

Co-chairmen Im Tae-hyun and Eo Deuk-yong stated, "We remember the 27 young heroes who heroically sacrificed themselves 46 years ago, putting their safety aside for the peace and security of the nation and its people." They added, "Reserve military organizations and special warfare warriors have joined hands to prepare this memorial service to honor their noble sacrifices, which were not fully embraced by the nation for a long time." 

Gravesite of 5·18 Fallen Military and Police. Reporter Heo Gyeom The co-chairmen further stated, "This is not merely a place to grieve a painful separation." They emphasized, "It is a place to restore the honor of the soldiers who fell nameless and to empower their surviving families to embrace the pride and dignity of being 'national heroes.'"

They implored, "We kindly ask for your presence to comfort the souls of the young heroes who have left us and to join us in providing courage to the bereaved families beyond their pain." They stressed, "Your footsteps will be the beginning of a just memory that finally completes their sacrifice." 

Lee Jae-gyu, Secretary-General of the Special Warfare Command Comrades Association, lamented, "These individuals were called upon by the nation during a time of social turmoil and were deployed to maintain order, faithfully practicing their duty to serve the country." He continued, "They were unable to fully bloom their youth and left behind the pain of separation, causing great sorrow and deep wounds to the nation and their families, yet they have not received proper consolation from any government agency or their respective military units." 

Secretary-General Lee stated, "With the hope of remembering and correctly recording the fallen soldiers whose memories are fading with time, we are organizing this commemorative event for the bereaved families and the fallen, transcending ideological or factional logic." He requested widespread interest and participation. 

☞ Commemorative Donation Information 

Nonghyup Bank 355-0080-3369-23 

(Association) Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command Comrades Association 

Nonghyup Bank 351-0818-5999-43 

Eo Deuk-yong 

 *After the event, a report on the use of donation funds will be provided to the donors.