MAY 18
Text by Dr. David E. Shaffer.Photographs courtesy of the 5.18 Archives. May 18, 1980 – a date etched in the memories of those who lived through this dark spot in … Read More
Category: May 18
MAY 18: Violence, Blood, Sorrow
Edited by Dr.David Shaffer. At the mention of “May,” the first thought that still comes to mind for many residents of Gwangju is the “Gwangju Incident” (광주사태, Gwangju-satae), as it … Read More
Promoting Tourism in Gwangju Dark Tours in the City of Light
Written by Karina Prananto. After its founding eleven years ago, the Gwangju Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB) has actively been promoting Gwangju as a tourism city locally and abroad. True … Read More
An Account of Gwangju’s 5.18 Democratic Uprising: Interview with Finnish Journalist Rauli Virtanen
Written by Seol Yun-Hee. Rauli Virtanen’s career as a Finnish journalist is that of a seasoned veteran. Having globe-trotted all 194 independent countries, he has witnessed and reported upon history’s … Read More
The State of Liberal Democracy: 39 Years After the Gwangju Democratic Uprising
Written by Hyung Jun You The May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising became a symbol of freedom and a kindling light of liberty that guided other cities in Korea and Southeast … Read More
Skies Gray, Heaven Weeps: May 18 Memorial Ceremony
Written by Colin Farabee On a rainy and cool Saturday morning in May, I joined hundreds of people gathering in the May 18 Cemetery outside of Gwangju to grieve and … Read More
May 18th National Cemetery
Written and photographed by Sarah Pittman It is impossible to overstate the reach of May 18th in the minds of the people of Gwangju. Every child I have ever taught … Read More
Extending International Solidarity from Gwangju: The May 18 Memorial Foundation
Written by Praveen Kumar Yadav May is a poignant month for Gwangju people, whose struggles in 1980 ultimately led to triumph over dictatorship and the establishment of democracy in South … Read More