May 18 Foundation: Bringing the Truth of May 18 to Light

The May 18 Foundation was founded in 1994 in order to help develop Korea through the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Democratization Movement or Gwangju Uprising. Through various projects, the Foundation is committed to sharing the history of the May 18 Movement and its impact as the “foundation of democracy in Korea” at a national level, though it also promotes democracy and human rights at a global level. We meet Mr. Won Sun-seok, the chairperson of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, where he shares his personal account of the May 18 Democratization Movement, the Foundation, and his hope for the future.

Hasta la Vista, Old Man Winter!

Spring is already in the pipeline. Avian messengers cum couriers of the season will soon appear in our skies. Among other birds of that ilk, swallows will be sighted here and there, almost always in pairs. As birds go, they are exceptionally smart. Smart enough to be able to fly across seemingly endless stretches of ferocious ocean.

The 5.18 Memorial

The Gwangju May 18 Uprising set the stage for Democracy and equality in South Korea

The Silence of My Beloved

Many Korean Buddhist monks were active in the independence movement during Japanese colonial rule. Han Yong-woon was a monk resistor who also wrote political poetry. Here is a poem from his collection of the same name.

Video: Movement Workshops with Angie Hartley

These monthly dance workshops will lead up to a performance at the Gwangju International Center Community Day in October 2012.

UNESCO and South Korea – A Preview

An organization that has education, science and culture in its title should appeal to South Korean ideals maybe more than to any other country’s. Originally, UNESCO was designed to promote peace by stopping wars in their tracks just as they took root in the minds of people.