Various 5·18 Minjuhwa Undong Events Held in Gwangju Nam-gu Area

Forums and Cultural Festivals Held Continuously for Two Weeks from the 11th to 22nd

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Various events commemorating the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising will be held in Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (District Mayor Kim Byeong-nae).

According to Nam-gu on the 10th, from the 11th to the 22nd, academic forums remembering Gwangju in May 1980, memorial cultural festivals, and experiential events will take place.

First, from 2 p.m. on the 11th, an academic forum titled "Yangnim-dong of the May 18 Democratic Uprising" will be held at Jejung Hall of Gwangju Christian Hospital.

This forum will be chaired by Choi Young-tae, honorary professor at Chonnam National University and former head of the Chonnam National University May 18 Research Institute. It will feature a keynote presentation on the history of the uprising that took place at Christian Hospital and Yangnim-dong in May 1980, followed by testimony from Jeong Soon-ja, who worked as the head nurse at Christian Hospital at that time, and then proceed to a full discussion.

Panelists include Yoo Kyung-nam, former full-time researcher at the Chonnam National University May 18 Research Institute, and Park Jin-woo, research director at the May 18 Memorial Foundation.

On the 15th, experiential events such as a May 18 street history lecture, photo exhibition, calligraphy writing, and postcard making will be held at Pureun-gil Park behind Bigspos in Jinwol-dong for residents.

Additionally, on the 21st, a cultural festival commemorating the spirits who sacrificed their lives at Christian Hospital and Yangnim-dong in May 1980 will be held at the lawn square of the Yangnim-dong Craft Specialty Street, attended by about 100 members of May 18-related organizations and residents.

Furthermore, on the 22nd, the Pureun-gil Cultural Festival will be held at Baegun Square Yangwoo Naean Front Park, organized by the Nam-gu Pureun-gil Candlelight Gathering, Bongseon Youth Culture House, Youth Cultural Action Shop, and Nam-gu Youth Training Center.

Various cultural events such as flash mobs by local youth, sign language choir performances, and Myanmar support performances will be featured.

A Nam-gu official said, "We have prepared various events so that generations who did not experience the May 18 Democratic Uprising era can learn about the hardships and community spirit endured by the citizens of Gwangju 41 years ago for the democratization of the homeland."