Gwangju Songjeong Station Plaza Officially Designated as a May 18 Historic Site

A Key Site of the Citizens' Democratization Movement in May 1980

The plaza at Gwangju Songjeong Station has been officially designated as a historic site of the May 18 Democratization Movement. The location, where citizens gathered in May 1980 to confront martial law forces in their pursuit of democracy, has been recognized as a historic site more than 40 years later, becoming the first such site in Gwangsan District.

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On September 19, Gwangsan District in Gwangju announced that the plaza at Gwangju Songjeong Station had been designated a historic site during the 3rd May 18 Democratization Movement Spirit Succession Committee meeting held in the main conference room of Gwangju City Hall. The Songjeong Station plaza was a key gathering point where citizens assembled and demonstrated their will for democratization on May 22, 1980.

For four years, the district has worked with Korea Railroad Corporation and related agencies, conducted legal reviews, and followed the necessary procedures to promote the designation of the site. With this designation, Gwangsan District now has its first May 18 historic site, following Dong-gu, Seo-gu, Nam-gu, and Buk-gu. Currently, there are 15 designated sites in Dong-gu, 6 in Seo-gu, 3 in Nam-gu, and 5 in Buk-gu.

Going forward, the district plans to install a commemorative marker, hold memorial events, and develop promotional programs. In addition, the district intends to apply for historic site status for the former Gwangsan Police Station site-currently the location of Gwangsin Progress Apartments-where female participants in the May 18 movement were detained.