A ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the May 18th Gwangju Pro-Democracy Uprising was held in the southwestern city Tuesday.

Pres. Roh and lawmakers of the ruling and opposition camps joined some 2,000 family members of those who were killed in the movement at the ceremony held at the May 18 Cemetery.

In a speech, the president issued an appeal to open a new era of reconciliation and coexistence, saying that overcoming division is the most important task facing the nation.

Among the political leaders on hand was chairwoman of the main opposition Grand National Party Park Geun-hye. She is the second leader of the GNP to visit the ceremony since former GNP chairman Lee Hoi-chang attended the ceremony in 2001.

At least 190 people were killed during the May 18, 1980 democratization movement which was sparked after a group of new military elite, led by Gen. Chun Doo-hwan, promulgated martial law.

The GNP includes lawmakers who had belonged to the Democratic Justice Party the military dictator created after a bloody crackdown on the Gwangju uprising.