Gwangju Dong-gu Publishes 'Figures of Dong-gu 2'... Publication Celebration on the 6th

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Im Taek) announced on the 4th that it has published "Figures of Dong-gu 2," which contains stories of historical figures who were either from Dong-gu or active in Dong-gu.

Last year, Dong-gu published "Figures of Dong-gu 1," which included stories of 22 people such as Pastor Choi Heung-jong, who devoted himself to Hansen's disease patients, and it went into a second printing amid great interest from residents.

In this "Figures of Dong-gu 2," the lives of modern and contemporary historical figures are compiled into one book, including independence activist Seo Jeong-hee, who led anti-Japanese, labor, and farmers' movements; Lee Gi-hong, who participated in anti-Japanese movements during the Japanese colonial period and democratization movements after liberation; Jo Ara, who led women's rights, human rights, and democratization; Park Yong-jun, who produced the "Tusae Report" with martyr Yoon Sang-won during the May 18 Democratization Movement; and Lee Cheol-gyu, who confronted injustice with his death.

Also included are stories of artists such as Kim Tae-man, who worked across the boundaries of modern and contemporary architecture; Kang Yong-woon, a pioneer of non-figurative abstract painting; and poet Lee Seong-bu, who sang about Jeolla Province.

"Figures of Dong-gu" is part of the "Dong-gu Humanities Resource Documentation Project," which Dong-gu is promoting to "record" and "remember" the disappearing history of the city. The independent bookstore "Sonyeon-ui Seo" (representative Im In-ja) was commissioned to carry out the project.

In particular, "Figures of Dong-gu 2" has attracted attention for its thorough verification and vivid descriptions, as experts directly wrote about each figure.

Contributors include Ahn Jong-cheol, Vice Chairman of the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Investigation Committee (author of the "Lee Gi-hong" chapter), Jung Myung-hye, YWCA director (author of the "Jo Ara" chapter), and Choi Soon-young, former National Assembly member (author of the "Kim Kyung-sook" chapter).

The publication commemorative event for "Figures of Dong-gu 2" will be held on the 6th at 4 p.m. in the Citizen Gallery on the 3rd floor of Jeonil Building 245.

The event, hosted by representative Im In-ja, will feature panelists including Jo In-ho (representative of Gwangju Art and Culture Research Institute), Jung Cheol-hoon (novelist), Park Hae-hyun (professor at Chodang University), Jeon Yong-ho (Gwangju Metropolitan City Human Rights Ombudsman), and Lee Dong-soon (professor at Chosun University).

Residents participating in the publication event will receive a copy of "Figures of Dong-gu 2," and the accompanying publication exhibition will continue until the 9th.

"Figures of Dong-gu 2" will be distributed to Dong administrative welfare centers, public libraries in Dong-gu and Gwangju, and local elementary, middle, and high schools to be shared with residents.

Im Taek, Mayor of Dong-gu, said, "Dong-gu, which was the center of modern and contemporary history in Gwangju, has many figures we must remember, and finding and recording their footprints is our mission today." He added, "Beyond simply discovering and recording, we will strive to inherit the spirit of Gwangju by sharing their lives with residents through various programs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.