US Declassifies Additional Records of the May 18 Democratic Uprising... Delivers 'Fully Released Copies' to Korea

Previously, some content of the document was deleted, now fully disclosed with a total of 43 cases
Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Appreciates cooperation for further declassification based on the ROK-US alliance"

On the 10th, about a week before the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, a commemorative sculpture called "May Chair," symbolizing the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, was installed in front of Myeongdong Cathedral in Jung-gu, Seoul. The May Chair Committee is carrying out a project to install May Chairs across the country to remember the spirit of May 18, under the slogan "Nationalization and Modernization of the May Spirit," similar to the "Statue of Peace" honoring the victims of Japanese military sexual slavery. The May Chair in Myeongdong is the third nationwide, following installations in Busan and Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The United States has delivered copies of additional declassified documents related to the '5.18 Democratic Movement' to South Korea.

On the 12th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that on the 11th (local time), the U.S. side explained to the Korean side the additional declassification of U.S. records related to the 5.18 Democratic Movement and delivered copies of the documents.

Last November, the Korean side officially requested the U.S. to review the declassification of related documents through diplomatic channels.

The newly declassified records consist of a total of 43 documents (approximately 140 pages), all of which are U.S. Department of State documents produced by the U.S. Embassy in Korea. Most of these documents had previously been declassified with some content redacted. This time, the U.S. side has fully disclosed the documents.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Our government will continue to consult with the U.S. side to ensure further disclosure of U.S. records related to the 5.18 Democratic Movement," and added, "We appreciate the U.S. side's cooperation in additional declassification based on the spirit of the Korea-U.S. alliance, which shares core values such as human rights and democracy."

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