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Kwon Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, attempts to pay respects at the National May 18th Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on November 6. / Source: Yonhap News

People Power Party leader Kwon Dong-hyeok turned back from a planned tribute at the National May 18th Cemetery on November 6 after facing fierce resistance from Gwangju civic groups, with scuffles erupting and wreaths and nameplates damaged.

Kwon and party leaders arrived at the cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, at about 1:35 p.m., but were initially unable to pass through the “Gate of Democracy” because civic groups were sitting and blocking the pathway. Protesters held placards reading, “Defender of insurrection, Kwon Dong-hyeok, apologize first,” “Co-conspirator insulting the May spirits, leave Gwangju,” and “Step down for damaging the May 18 spirit.”

With police assistance, party officials crossed the gate at 1:44 p.m. and headed toward the memorial tower without signing the guestbook. Protesters then rushed toward Kwon again, triggering intense shoving matches. Kwon’s jacket was repeatedly grabbed and its buttons torn off. Park Jun-tae, Kwon’s chief of staff, had his collar and hair pulled and his clothes partially stripped amid the melee.

Although the main gate and memorial tower are roughly 200 meters—normally less than a two-minute walk—the clashes slowed the group’s progress, taking more than ten minutes to reach the altar.

Party leaders finally reached the altar at 1:49 p.m., but the protests intensified and blocked the tribute. They ultimately skipped the laying of flowers and incense offering, bowed their heads for a brief silent prayer from 1:50 p.m., and moved toward their bus. Physical confrontations continued as they departed, and the delegation managed to board at around 1:55 p.m.

One protester attempted to damage a condolence wreath bearing Kwon’s name but was stopped by cemetery staff. Kwon had planned to pay individual respects at the graves of May 18 democracy martyrs including Yoon Sang-won and Park Kwan-hyun, but the schedule was canceled as tensions escalated.

Later at the Gwangju Complex Shopping Mall site, Kwon told reporters, “We intended to show respect to the spirits with flowers and a moment of silence at the democracy cemetery, but circumstances allowed only a brief prayer before the memorial tower, which is regrettable.”

“The People Power Party has issued sincere apologies regarding May 18 on multiple occasions and our platform explicitly states we inherit the May 18 spirit,” he said. “Even so, it seems our sincerity has not been conveyed. We will do our utmost until our intentions are understood,” adding that his pledged “monthly Honam visits” will continue.

Despite the hostile first appearance in Honam, Kwon signaled he will visit the region at least once a month to highlight “sincerity,” step up engagement with residents, and court voters in a traditionally unfavorable stronghold.

Addressing incidents cited by Gwangju civic groups as grounds for blocking the visit, Kwon said, “Former President Chun Doo-hwan’s trial could proceed in absentia, and it was a case where the defendant waived his right to defense, so there was no reason to compel his attendance,” and, regarding the impeachment trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, “Impeachment must proceed under due process; because it did not, we argued for dismissal.”

“It is hard to understand linking these matters to blocking a cemetery tribute,” he continued. “Honoring the May 18 spirit should belong to all citizens of the Republic of Korea, including future generations.”

Kwon also told construction officials at the complex mall site, “We will continue to watch closely and help. We will work to resolve various Honam issues,” before visiting the Gwangju AI Data Center to discuss support measures.