From the Editor – June 2026

Welcome to our June issue, the 292nd issue of the Gwangju News. This doesn’t sound particularly remarkable, other than the fact that the publishing of the 292 monthly issues was accomplished by a team of volunteers. But it is an important juncture in the history of the magazine: The first issue of the Gwangju News was published in June of 2001. That makes this June 2026 issue our 25th anniversary issue!

This milepost punctuates the sustained momentum that the Gwangju News has evidenced over the years since its inception 25 years ago by our publisher, Dr. Shin Gyonggu. From a couple of folded sheets of paper as Issue #1 to today’s 60-plus pages, the magazine has steadily evolved. But quantity cannot be the sole measure of a publication’s value. We take great pride in the quality of the content that we offer and in the breadth of our offerings. Our product is truly exceptional, considering that the contributors are volunteers rather than journalism-educated professionals.

“Bravo!” to our Gwangju News contributors and staff. Take a bow!

Last month was especially busy and meaningful in Gwangju, the city where the “Spirit of May” is so deeply felt. May marks the anniversary of the 5.18 Gwangju Uprising of 1980, a defining moment in Korea’s struggle for democracy and human rights. In honor of that legacy, Gwangju hosts the annual World Human Rights Cities Forum in mid-May, alongside the presentation of the prestigious Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

Reflecting this emphasis on human rights, this issue of the Gwangju News features a quartet of articles devoted to the human rights theme. We begin with a firsthand report on this year’s World Human Rights Cities Forum, highlighted by a keynote address from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Next, we profile Sylvia Acan, a courageous human rights activist from Uganda and the recipient of the 2026 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. Our third piece is a commentary titled “Strengthening Solidarity with the World’s Oppressed: A Call for Gwangju to Lead.” And finally, we offer a thought-provoking essay on the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights, penned by the artist behind this issue’s striking cover image. Together, these articles invite you to reflect on Gwangju’s enduring role as a beacon of human rights and solidarity with struggles worldwide. Enjoy these and the other 25 exceptional articles on offer in this issue!