Remembering May 18th Democratic Movement
- 6 years ago
And in light of today's solemn anniversary in remembering many innocent civilians that were killed by government troops.... we go back in time with our Ko Roon-hee who takes a look back at the day of the uprising.
Thousands of people took to the streets on May 18th, 1980 in the southwestern Korean city of Gwangju.
This was after then-president Chun Doo-hwan seized power in a military coup and took suppressive measures... such as banning political activities and imposing martial law.
Protesters were beaten and fired upon by government troops during the military crackdown.
This left an unknown number of people dead and thousands more wounded.
Although the uprising was quelled on May 27th, 1980, a look back in history has proven that it was a victory, not a defeat… as it paved the way for later movements in the 1980s that eventually brought democracy to the country.
Last year, South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed to carry on its legacy…by reopening the probe into possible crimes that may have been committed by the troops.
"Demanding the truth of the May 18 Democratic Movement is not a political issue. It is about common sense and justice. It is also about protecting the value of democracy in South Korea."
Recently, a rare video capturing the scenes of the democratic movement was disclosed to the public.
A private collector notified the May 18 Archives of the video's existence in December last year, and the archives purchased it in March.
The new video shows soldiers implementing martial law and wounded citizens at local hospitals.
The footage will be screened at the archive until May 30th... to remind citizens of a pivotal moment in the country's modern history, that continues to provide inspiration for freedom and human rights.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.
Thousands of people took to the streets on May 18th, 1980 in the southwestern Korean city of Gwangju.
This was after then-president Chun Doo-hwan seized power in a military coup and took suppressive measures... such as banning political activities and imposing martial law.
Protesters were beaten and fired upon by government troops during the military crackdown.
This left an unknown number of people dead and thousands more wounded.
Although the uprising was quelled on May 27th, 1980, a look back in history has proven that it was a victory, not a defeat… as it paved the way for later movements in the 1980s that eventually brought democracy to the country.
Last year, South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed to carry on its legacy…by reopening the probe into possible crimes that may have been committed by the troops.
"Demanding the truth of the May 18 Democratic Movement is not a political issue. It is about common sense and justice. It is also about protecting the value of democracy in South Korea."
Recently, a rare video capturing the scenes of the democratic movement was disclosed to the public.
A private collector notified the May 18 Archives of the video's existence in December last year, and the archives purchased it in March.
The new video shows soldiers implementing martial law and wounded citizens at local hospitals.
The footage will be screened at the archive until May 30th... to remind citizens of a pivotal moment in the country's modern history, that continues to provide inspiration for freedom and human rights.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.