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KWANGJU - President Kim Dae-jung said yesterday that the government would promote the legislation of a special act for the victims of the military's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators here in 1980.

"In accordance with the law concerning compensation for those involved in the Kwangju Democratization Movement, all the victims who are receiving or who will be receiving compensation will be treated as contributors to democratization," Kim said.

The President also said that the government would upgrade the May 18 Cemetery, where more than 200 victims of the military crackdown are buried, to a national cemetary, and undertake various memorial projects.

Kim, himself a prime victim of the then military rulers' harsh repression, attended the 20th anniversary of the pro-democracy movement, becoming the first President to do so. The ceremony took place at the May 18 Cemetery in Mangwol-dong, northern Kwangju.

The President, a longtime dissident, was once sentenced to death by the military junta headed by Chun Doo Hwan on charges of instigating the civil protest. His life was saved only when the United States and the international community intervened.

Kim said that he was full of emotion standing before the souls of the fighters who lost their lives to safeguard democracy.

"When I think of the numerous heroes of democracy who fell, I feel boundless sorrow and my resolve is renewed," an emotional Kim said.

He said that Kwangju citizens did not make this noble sacrifice in vain, and that the flame of democracy that was kindled through their deaths continued to burn in the dark days of dictatorship.

The battle for democracy culminated in the nationwide citizens' struggle in June 1997, and finally led to the nation's first peaceful transition of power from a ruling to an opposition party in December the same year. Kim, who is often called Asia's Mandela, was the first opposition candidate to win the Korean presidency.

Kim said that the Kwangju Movement left a precious legacy for democracy and human rights advocates at home and abroad.

He said that the uprising should be commended for upholding human rights, non-violence, civic pride and peace.

"The great spirits of Kwangju are a source of pride not only for us, but for all the people around the world who believe in the common values of human rights and democracy," Kim said.

The May 18 Kwangju Movement must become a beacon of encouragement that will help boost the courage and hope of those who are waging just struggles, he said.

Presidential spokesman Park Joon-young said that the Kwangju Movement has become an international symbol of democracy.

"Many foreign human rights promoters are participating in the anniversary programs, and the Kwangju Movement has even been included in textbooks in the United States and other countries," Park noted.

This means that Kwangju has become a global model for such universal values as freedom, human rights and justice, the spokesman said.

After the Mangwol-dong ceremony, President Kim visited the altar upon which photos of the victims were placed and held a luncheon meeting with representatives of Kwangju Movement-related groups and the local community.

Kim also held separate meetings with Bishop Belo, the Nobel-prizewinning East Timorese independence leader, an Indonesian parliamentary delegation and other foreign visitors.