46th May 18 Ceremony Held at Gwangju’s May 18 Democracy Plaza Under Theme ‘May, Embracing the Square Again’

The 46th May 18 Ceremony is being held on May 18, 2026, at May 18 Democracy Plaza in Dong-gu, Gwangju, marking the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement. The government-led ceremony, hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, carries the theme “May, Embracing the Square Again” and is tied to the restoration and official opening of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office, a central site in the movement’s history. ¹

News1 reported through Financial News that the ceremony was set for 11 a.m. and expected to bring together about 3,000 people, including persons of merit, bereaved families, government officials, political figures, and students. ² The event was also organized as an open ceremony, with citizens able to watch from the Geumnam-ro area on LED screens without an invitation. ²

46th May 18 Ceremony: Core Details

The ceremony centers on commemoration, public participation, and the restored civic space around the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office. MBC reported that the event is taking place in front of the restored former office building at May 18 Democracy Plaza, and that the program was prepared in connection with the restoration to its original form and formal opening. ³

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced the theme as “May, Embracing the Square Again,” linking the anniversary ceremony to the meaning of the square as a public place of memory and democracy. The ministry also said the program includes a special performance commemorating the restoration and opening of the former Jeonnam Provincial Government Office, as well as the singing of “March for the Beloved.” ¹

Kwon Oh-eul, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, said in a ministry statement that “the democracy of the Republic of Korea stands on the sacrifice and devotion of May Gwangju.” ¹ In another quoted statement, he said the country would remember and carry forward “the values of democracy, human rights, and peace” that Gwangju produced in May. ⁴

Program Order and Public Viewing

Newsis reported, citing the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, that the ceremony was planned to run for about 50 minutes. The order includes the national ceremony, a theme video and on-site declaration, commemorative address, commemorative performance, special performance, and the collective singing of “March for the Beloved.” ⁴

The public viewing arrangement is a notable part of the 2026 ceremony. News1 reported that citizens without invitations could take part by watching on LED screens facing Geumnam-ro, while MBC said the ceremony would also be relayed on large screens along Geumnam-ro so that any citizen could participate. ^{2 3}

The broader 46th anniversary schedule included events before the government ceremony. Money Today reported that Gwangju Metropolitan City organized the anniversary events in a citizen festival format, with the Democracy and Peace Grand March on May 16, the eve ceremony on May 17 at May 18 Democracy Plaza, and the government ceremony on May 18 at 11 a.m. under the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. ⁵

A memorial ceremony was also held on May 17, 2026, at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Yonhap News reported that the event was hosted by the May 18 Democratic Merit Bereaved Families Association and attended by about 500 people, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Gwangju Regional Veterans Office chief Jang Suk-nam, May Mothers, lawmakers, and bereaved family members. ⁶

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Cloi Lee

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