‘Nonamegi’ Late Baek Giwan Memorial Altar to Be Set Up in Gwangju as Well

Mujin Hall, 2nd Floor, Gwangju YMCA, by 8 PM on the 18th

Baek Ki-wan, director of the Unification Issue Research Institute, who had been hospitalized and battling pneumonia symptoms, passed away on the 15th. On the same day, at the funeral hall set up at Seoul National University Hospital, Baek Won-dam, the eldest daughter and a family member, held a press conference while tightly holding the deceased's book. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A citizen memorial altar for the late Baek Giwan, known as ‘Nonamegi,’ will also be set up in Gwangju

The citizen memorial altar for Baek Giwan, the great elder of the farmers, the poor, unification, and democratization movements and director of the Unification Issues Research Institute, will be established in Gwangju as well.

According to civic groups including Participation and Autonomy 21 on the 15th, the citizen memorial altar for the late Baek Giwan will be set up on the 2nd floor Mujin Hall of Gwangju YMCA.

It will operate from 6 p.m. on that day until 8 p.m. on the 18th. The funeral will be held as a social funeral, and in accordance with the deceased’s wishes, no floral wreaths or condolence flags will be accepted. It will be operated in strict compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines, and no food will be provided.

The funeral procession for the late Mr. Baek will be at 8 a.m. on the 19th at Seoul National University Hospital, followed by a memorial ceremony and march around Daehak-ro at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m., a farewell ceremony will be held at the plaza in front of City Hall.

Meanwhile, the late Baek Giwan passed away after battling illness at Seoul National University Hospital around 4:45 a.m. on the same day.

He was a writer who published novels and essay collections such as ‘Jangsan Gotmae Story’ and is widely known in Gwangju as the original lyricist of the popular protest song ‘March for the Beloved.’

He participated in Korean social movements since the 1950s, took part in the anti-Japan treaty movement in 1964, and led a one-million-signature campaign against the Yushin regime in 1974, for which he was imprisoned.

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