Resurgence of a South Korean Democracy Anthem

“A passionate oath to march our whole lives, leaving neither love nor reputation nor name. Our comrades are gone; only a fluttering flag remains. Let us stand firm until a new day comes.” This year, the solemn melody of “March for the Beloved” reverberated majestically at the national memorial ceremony for the 1980 Gwangju Incident (commonly dubbed the “5.18 Incident”) as the participants — including newly elected president Moon Jae-in — chanted the lyrics in unison. But for decades, this emb