Gwangju City and District Volunteer Centers Make a Strong Start to 2026

'Coupang Boycott Performance' Held After May 18 Cemetery Memorial Service

The Gwangju Metropolitan City Volunteer Center and the volunteer centers of five autonomous districts jointly visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery on the morning of the 5th for a combined memorial service. Photo by Gwangju Volunteer Center

The Gwangju Metropolitan City Volunteer Center and the volunteer centers of five autonomous districts (hereinafter referred to as "City and District Volunteer Centers") visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery on the morning of the 5th to hold a joint memorial service and officially begin their activities for 2026.

This memorial service, attended by approximately 50 executives and staff members from the City and District Volunteer Centers, was organized to commemorate the "2026 International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development" declared by the United Nations. The event aimed to reaffirm the commitment of the volunteer community to carry on Gwangju's spirit of democracy, human rights, and peace, and to take the lead in realizing the values of sharing and solidarity through the expansion of volunteer participation.

Additionally, after the memorial service at the May 18 Cemetery, the City and District Volunteer Centers held a boycott performance against Coupang. This action was intended to sound the alarm over the moral indifference of companies embroiled in recent large-scale personal information leaks and poor working conditions, and to urge ethical management and greater social responsibility.

Ryu Misoo, Director of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Volunteer Center, stated, "Volunteerism is increasingly emphasized not only as a simple act of charity but as a civic duty to help solve various social problems. In celebration of the 2026 International Year of Volunteers, we will use this opportunity to foster a culture of participation so that all citizens can practice 'volunteering in everyday life.'"