Poor Safety Management at May 18 Historic Sites... No Inspections at Former Red Cross and Armed Forces Hospitals

City Council Points Out "No Insurance or Fire Safety Plans"
Gwangju City Responds: "Unused Facilities, Safety Measures to Be Addressed During Remodeling"

After concerns were raised in the city council that the former Red Cross Hospital and the Armed Forces Gwangju Hospital, both historic sites of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, have been neglected in terms of insurance, safety, and fire management, the Gwangju City Government responded, "These facilities are currently unused and access is restricted. Safety measures will be addressed according to legal standards during the remodeling process."

On November 11, Seo Imseok, a member of the Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Nam-gu 1), stated during an administrative audit of the City’s Autonomy Administration Bureau, Civil Safety Office, and Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace Bureau, "Although special exhibitions are held annually at both buildings, there is no liability insurance, nor are there safety inspections or fire safety plans. Leaving these spaces, which hold the memories of citizens, in an administrative blind spot is an act of Gwangju undermining its own identity."

According to Assemblyman Seo, the Autonomy Administration Bureau was unaware that the facilities were not enrolled in the public liability insurance program, and the Civil Safety Office had not checked the registration or safety status of the facilities as type-3 structures. The Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace Bureau did not appoint a safety manager or notify the fire department during public exhibition events.

In particular, it was found that the Armed Forces Gwangju Hospital does not even have a building register, making it impossible to conduct legally required safety inspections. Assemblyman Seo pointed out, "Events that allow public access are being held without a single record of legal inspections for electricity, gas, or fire safety. This structural administrative irresponsibility is putting citizens' safety at risk."

A Gwangju City official explained, "The public hearing scheduled for November 19 is a procedure to explain the proposed utilization plan for the former Red Cross Hospital to citizens and gather their opinions. Matters such as safety inspections, fire safety, and insurance will be decided according to legal standards during the future remodeling process."

The official added, "Both buildings are currently unused and access is restricted. We will work to enroll in public liability insurance and strengthen safety management to prepare for unexpected accidents." The official further stated, "Since the May 18 historic sites symbolize Gwangju’s historical identity and collective memory, we will prioritize citizen safety throughout all preservation and utilization processes and establish a systematic management system."