"5.18 Taxis Are Symbols of Democracy"... 45th Anniversary of Democratic Drivers Day Held

70 Vehicles, Including Pony and Stella, Join 4.5 km March

The 5·18 People's Uprising Commemoration Committee, the National Democratic Taxi Labor Union Gwangju Headquarters, and the Democratic Drivers Comrades Committee held the 45th Anniversary of Democratic Drivers Day ceremony on the afternoon of the 20th in front of the former Mudeung Stadium in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

On May 20, a reenactment of the vehicle protest, in which Gwangju's transportation workers drove buses and taxis to the former South Jeolla Provincial Office in resistance against the martial law forces during the 5·18 Democratization Movement, took place around the former Mudeung Stadium and Geumnam-ro in Gwangju.

The 5·18 People's Uprising Commemoration Committee, the National Democratic Taxi Labor Union Gwangju Headquarters, and the Democratic Drivers Comrades Committee held the 45th Anniversary of Democratic Drivers Day ceremony on the afternoon of the 20th in front of the former Mudeung Stadium in Buk-gu, Gwangju.

For the reenactment event, approximately 70 vehicles, including one Pony, one Stella, and several taxis, participated. They attached Taegukgi flags and banners to their vehicles and formed a procession, driving the 4.5-kilometer route from Mudeung Stadium through Yudong Intersection and Geumnam-ro to the former South Jeolla Provincial Office.

Each vehicle displayed a Taegukgi flag and slowly drove through downtown Gwangju, evoking memories of that day in May 45 years ago. As the procession of 70 vehicles departed from Mudeung Stadium and entered Geumnam-ro to the tune of "March for the Beloved," citizens along the route cheered in support.

Yoon Namsik, president of the 5·18 Democratization Movement Merit Association, said, "On that day, Gwangju preserved hope and the warmth of community amid darkness and despair. At the center of it all were the democratic drivers who transported lives and stood by the citizens. Taxis and buses became more than just means of transportation; they became symbols of solidarity and the road to justice. The hands gripping the steering wheel were braver than they were fearful, and the feet pressing the accelerator were driving toward freedom, not oppression."

Park Kangsu (age 59), a member of the Democratic Taxi Labor Union Gyeonggi Northern Branch, said, "I have been participating in this event for five years to honor the taxi drivers who sacrificed themselves for democracy during 5·18. Every time I attend, it also helps strengthen unity within our organization. We carry democracy in our hearts and continue to fight for a better life."

Previously, the taxi union and others have continued this event since 1997 to commemorate the day when, on May 20, 1980, taxi drivers, outraged by the atrocities of the martial law forces, drove about 200 taxis from in front of the former Mudeung Stadium and Gwangju Station to the provincial office in a vehicle protest.