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A Hong Kong resident sends a video message of solidarity to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Gwangju Democratization Movement to the Gwangju-Hong Kong Solidarity Council. (provided by the Gwangju-Hong Kong Solidarity Council)

Residents of Hong Kong, who have been demonstrating for democracy since last year, sent a letter expressing a message of sympathy and solidarity on the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. The residents were unanimous in viewing the outcome of the events in Gwangju as a source of hope.

On May 21, the Gwangju-Hong Kong Solidarity Council shared a commemorative message for the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement sent online by 24 Hong Kong residents. One resident, who did not give their name, said, “I like the Korean film ‘Peppermint Candy,’ because it allows you to see the democratization movement in South Korea from the perspective of the ‘bad cop.’”

“We have a lot of bad cops in Hong Kong too. I also think those police are hurting inside,” the resident continued. “South Korea’s victory gives us hope.”

Another Hong Kong resident identifying herself as “Crystal” said, “Seeing the results gained by the people of South Korea through May 18 makes us Hong Kongers hopeful too. We should continue fighting together for freedom.”

Another resident named Vicky mentioned visiting the May 18th National Cemetery in the fall of last year.

“We met a man named Mr. Choi who was visiting his wife’s grave. Mr. Choi’s wife had been shot, and he had spent several years in prison,” Vicky recalled.

“Mr. Choi has been battling for 40 years to bring the truth to late,” she added. “I plan to treat his courage and tenacity as an example.”

Resident Cheh Kam Cheong [sp?] said, “Hong Kong has been following the same path of struggle that South Korea did in the 1980s.”

“The helplessness and anger that Hong Kongers are feeling today may be similar to how Gwangju residents felt at the time. Just as South Korea has not forgotten the suffering of Gwangju, I hope the people of Hong Kong remember this whole process of struggle until we have gained freedom, even if we face a mountain of pressure.”

Some of the Hong Kong residents sent images from the events in Gwangju in May 1980 that they had produced using computer graphics. The Gwangju-Hong Kong Solidarity Council plans to continue sharing letters from Hong Kong residents with Gwangju’s civil society and calling for solidarity.

Meanwhile, the May 18 Memorial Foundation and recipients of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights have been sending messages of support for the Hong Kong demonstrations, including the sharing of a statement sent to the Hong Kong and Chinese governments in August 2019 calling for respect for the freedoms of Hong Kong residents and a nonviolent resolution to their issues.

By Kim Yong-hee, staff reporter

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]