Culture Ministry to Begin Trial Operations of Old Jeonnam Provincial Office on 28th...Official Opening in May

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 24th that it will begin trial operations of the "Old Jeonnam Provincial Office," a historic site of the May 18 Democratization Movement, starting on the 28th. Through the trial period, which runs until April 5, the ministry will gather visitor feedback and, based on that input, improve all aspects of operations, including the exhibition environment, the guided-tour system, and visitor convenience facilities, with the aim of officially opening the Old Jeonnam Provincial Office in May.

The Old Jeonnam Provincial Office Restoration Promotion Team at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is carrying out a restoration project to recover the historical value of democracy. The goal is to restore the Old Jeonnam Provincial Office to its original state as it was in May 1980.

During the trial period, visitors will be able to freely view outdoor exhibitions as well as six exhibition halls: the main provincial office building, the annex building, the conference room, the main building of the Provincial Police Bureau, the Provincial Police Bureau civil affairs office, and Sangmu Hall. Based on contemporary records, the exhibition halls have been organized as narrative, reenactment, educational, and commemorative spaces for the May 18 Democratization Movement, allowing visitors to experience the history and significance of democracy in the Republic of Korea.

Guided tours, in which a professional docent accompanies visitors and explains the exhibits, will be offered 10 times a day: twice in the morning (at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.) and eight times in the afternoon (from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 30-minute intervals). Guided tours can be reserved online through the official website. The venue will be closed every Monday during the trial operation period.

Jeong Sangwon, head of the Old Jeonnam Provincial Office Restoration Promotion Team, said, "The Old Jeonnam Provincial Office is a site of democracy and a space that holds the historical memory of the May Spirit," adding, "During the trial operation, we will gather a wide range of opinions and do our utmost so that, upon official opening, citizens can experience the meaning and history of the May 18 Democratization Movement in a safer and deeper way."