On the 19th, marking the 65th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution, the ruling and opposition parties reminisced about the spirit of April 19 while also defining the present as a 'crisis of democracy', leading to back-and-forth exchanges.
On the 19th, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, Acting Representative Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, paid their respects at the National April 19th Democracy Memorial in Gangbuk District, Seoul.
Speaker Woo said on Facebook, 'In the past few months, we have realized how challenging it is to oust unjust rulers and take a step in history,' adding, 'That difficult event occurred in 1960 in the newly established democratic nation of Korea.' He continued, 'April 19 symbolizes how great our people are and how deep the roots of democracy run,' and emphasized, 'The lesson of April 19 is that we must fear the people who established this shining milestone and be humble before history.'
Acting Representative Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party of Korea remarked, 'The April 19 Revolution, which led to the "Revolution of Light," showcased what popular sovereignty means in the face of dictatorship, and the spirit of April 19 has become a light that has once again saved Korea after the night of insurrection.' He added, 'Today, together with the people who have shown that darkness can never overcome light, we will once again reflect on the spirit of April 19 and strive to ensure that our democracy is never shaken again.'
Spokesperson Kim Seong-hwa noted in a written briefing, 'We reflect on the values of freedom and democracy built by our great people,' stating, 'Given that we have experienced an unprecedented national crisis with the Dec. 3 insurrection, the significance of the April 19 Revolution feels even more urgent now.' He went on to say, 'The Democratic Party will steadfastly protect democracy alongside the great people to ensure that unjust power never rules over the public again,' and added, 'We will exhaust all our efforts to restore the democracy that was destroyed by insurrectionist forces.'
Shin Dong-uk, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, stated in a commentary, 'The spirit of the April 19 Revolution is alive and enshrined in the preamble of the constitution, yet democracy is now facing a precarious crisis.' He continued, 'The government's relentless legislative rush by the Democratic Party has paralyzed the state affairs, and now even the separation of powers is in jeopardy.' He expressed, 'At this moment, more than ever, the spirit of freedom, democracy, and justice is desperately needed,' adding, 'I will fight against the Democratic Party's tyranny to ensure that the public's lives can rise again with hope by protecting liberal democracy.'
Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader, remarked, 'The People Power Party will always reflect on the democratic ideals of April 19 inscribed in the constitution,' and said, 'We will inherit the spirit of the April 19 Revolution, achieved through the bloodshed of righteous youth and citizens 65 years ago, to continue the great history of liberal democracy.'