Gwangju Office of Education Holds Memorial Event for Student Victims on May 18 Anniversary

Under the Theme "Ah! May, May We Meet Again"
Honoring Moon Jaehak and 18 Others, Continuing the Spirit of May 18

On May 13, ahead of the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education held a memorial event at the main entrance of its headquarters under the theme "Ah! May, May We Meet Again."

This event was organized to remember 19 students who were attending schools in the Gwangju area and lost their lives in May 1980, and to carry on the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

On the 13th, during a memorial event held at the main entrance of the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, employees are singing the March for the Beloved next to the May 18th monument shaped like the provincial government fountain. Provided by Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education

Among the students who were killed were Moon Jaehak and Ahn Jongpil (Gwangju Dongsung High School), who fought to the end as members of the Provincial Government Emergency Countermeasures Committee; Park Sungyong (Chosun University Affiliated High School); Park Hyunsook (Songwon Girls’ Commercial High School) and Hwang Hogeol (Gwangju Jeil High School Night School), who were killed while traveling to Hwasun on a citizen militia bus to obtain coffins; and Park Geumhee (Jeonnam Girls’ Commercial High School), who lost her life on her way home after donating blood.

All employees of the Office of Education participated in the event. The venue featured the "May Bookshelf" with over 20 books related to May 18, a May 18 history quiz, and an exhibition of "Memorial Cards" bearing the names and stories of the victims. Employees read the books, took part in the quiz, and wrote handwritten messages of remembrance on the memorial cards.

In the main lobby, a sculpture titled "Torch of May" was installed. The artwork symbolizes the courage and sacrifice of May 1980 as the flame that illuminates today’s democracy, and the employees' memorial cards were displayed alongside it. Participants gathered around the sculpture and concluded the event by singing the March for the Beloved together.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education plans to display the sculpture in the main building until the 24th, which marks the end of the May 18 memorial week.

Superintendent Lee Jungseon stated, "The sacrifices of May 1980 are the roots of the democracy we must protect today," adding, "I hope our small actions will become the flame that lights the future, so that their meaning is not forgotten."