Ewha Womans University Pre-service Teachers Ask, "How Should We Teach Democracy?"

60 Education Students Tour May 18 Democratization Movement Sites
Visit to May 18 Cemetery and More... Discussion with Mayor Kang Gijung

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is taking a commemorative photo after having a mini talk with students from Ewha Womans University College of Education at the City Hall Citizen Hall on the afternoon of the 21st. Provided by Gwangju City

"I felt a lot at the historical sites in Gwangju, and I will continue to visit Gwangju often to reflect on how to teach children about democracy and history."

On the 21st, about 60 students from the College of Education at Ewha Womans University, who are prospective teachers, visited the democratic city of Gwangju to learn about the May 18 Democratization Movement and the spirit of community.

After touring the historical sites of the May 18 Democratization Movement, they met with Mayor Kang Gijung at the City Hall Citizen Hall to share their impressions and discuss democracy.

Mayor Kang introduced Gwangju as a democratic city, mentioning the May 18 Democratization Movement and Nobel Literature Prize-winning author Han Kang, and said, "Thanks to your parents who visited Gwangju after May 18, 1980, and devoted themselves to democracy, Gwangju has blossomed as a city of democracy. Thank you for coming to Gwangju to learn about May 18."

The students asked Mayor Kang questions such as: ▲ How did the experience of May 18 affect citizens currently experiencing the December 3 Martial Law incident? ▲ What are Gwangju's specialized May 18 policies? ▲ While touring the historical sites, we thought most about the bereaved families of the victims?what kind of support does the city provide for them?

In response, Mayor Kang recalled the tense nights of martial law, such as the "Emergency Martial Law Nullification Joint Conference for the Protection of the Constitution," which was held with leaders from all walks of life in Gwangju to protect citizens and respond to emergencies during the December 3 Martial Law incident. He said, "The experience of May 1980 strengthened the power of 'solidarity' in Gwangju and enabled us to unite quickly even in emergencies."

He continued, "The torch of May 1980 has become today's cheering stick, and the rice balls of that time have become today's culture of prepayment. As Nobel Literature Prize winner Han Kang said, the past helps the present, and the dead saved the living. May 18 taught us the power of solidarity."

One student said, "During my stay in Gwangju, I felt not only the history and culture but also the warmth of the Gwangju citizens. I am grateful."

The Ewha Womans University students are conducting a three-day, two-night spring academic field trip to Gwangju, Gunsan, and Buyeo until the 22nd. This year, in particular, they chose Gwangju as a field trip destination in connection with the December 3 Martial Law incident, visiting historical and cultural sites such as the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery, Jeonil Building 245, and Yangnim History and Culture Village.