CNU began its New Year's work in 2020 by visiting the May 18th National Cemetery.

100 CNU officers including President Jeong, key post members, officers of CNU Headquarters, Park Seung-hyun, the President of the CNU Alumni, and Alumni members visited the May 18th National Cemetery on January 2nd (Wednesday) to share resolutions for 2020.

After offering flowers and burning incense at the main memorial, staff paid a visit to every grave of the 26 former CNU students and professors in the cemetery. They also commemorated citizens who sacrificed their lives for the democratization of Korea and who are buried in the old May 18th Cemetery; prayers were also offered before the cenotaph.

In the visitor’s note, President Jeong left a message, “May the spirit of Gwangju’s resistance shed light on the world,” praying for the nation of democracy, human rights, and justice with peace and liberty. Jeong also greeted citizens and representatives of major regional communities who had also paid a visit to the national cemetery.

In the opening ceremony of 2020 held in Yongbong Hall after the visit, President Jeong mentioned the spirit of ‘Saseokweho (射石爲虎),’ which means nothing is impossible for those who are devoted with sincerity. Jeong also emphasized, “We should invest our sincere passion and competence to fulfill our responsibilities to the local communities, nation, and the world in order to achieve innovative education, foster researcher at the global level, and establish the platform of regional innovation.”