The Former 505 Security Unit Reborn as 5·18 History Park, Returning to the Citizens...

Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "We Will Set the Just May History Right and Leave Lessons for Future Generations"

On the morning of the 20th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended the opening event of the May 18 History Park held at the former 505 Security Unit in Seo-gu, where he cut the ribbon with guests including Kim Yong-jip, Chairman of the Gwangju City Council, and Seo Dae-seok, Head of Seo-gu Office. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The former 505 Security Unit (formerly the Military Security Unit), where numerous democratic citizens were imprisoned and subjected to severe torture during the May 18, 1980 Democratization Movement, has been reborn as the May 18 History Park to learn about the pain and history of Gwangju, returning to the citizens.

On the morning of the 20th, Gwangju Metropolitan City held an opening ceremony at the May 18 History Park in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, with Mayor Lee Yong-seop, City Council Chairman Kim Yong-jip, Seo-gu District Chief Seo Dae-seok, Bishop Ok Hyun-jin of the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju, May 18 organizations, and citizens.

The May 18 History Park covers an area of 36,000㎡ and includes a history learning center, outdoor stage, symbolic gate pillars, symbolic columns, a lawn yard, walking paths, and parking lots.

In the history learning center, seven symbolic columns representing the ten days of the May 18 Democratization Movement by time period, a ‘Wall of Participation’ where visitors can write their thoughts, and a ‘Wall of History’ using tile murals have been prepared so that citizens can once again reflect on the pain of the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Additionally, within the May 18 History Park, existing large sawtooth oaks, zelkova trees, metasequoias, and maple trees have been preserved in their original form, and trees such as Japanese snowbell, hackberry, and pine have been planted. An outdoor stage has also been installed to create a resting place where citizens can receive comfort and healing.

Citizens can also tour the original restored May 18 sites, including the main building of the former 505 Security Unit, the cafeteria, barbershop, visiting room, guard post, and main gate. The annex of the barracks will be remodeled and used as an educational and research facility related to May 18.

The former 505 Security Unit was the place where local figures, student movement leaders, and citizens were arrested, confined in underground prisons, and subjected to harsh torture and interrogation during 1980.

After being relocated to the 31st Division in Ochi-dong in November 2005, it was left abandoned. To preserve the painful history of May 18, it was designated as Historic Site No. 26 in 2007 and as the May 18 History Park in 2008.

Since 2015, Gwangju City has established a master plan for the May 18 commemoration project and a plan for the creation of the May 18 History Park. In 2019, under the theme ‘Park of Dreams for Future Generations,’ the city decided to create the May 18 History Park, secured a project budget of 3.8 billion KRW, and completed the urban park committee review and implementation plan approval.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, “The historic site where numerous democratic citizens were imprisoned and subjected to severe torture has transformed into a space for healing, comfort, and education,” adding, “Generations who experienced May 18 and those who did not, citizens, and tourists alike will face the truth of May here and engrave the spirit of sharing and solidarity of Gwangju in their hearts.”

He continued, “May Gwangju has bequeathed to us a world of democracy, human rights, and peace,” and added, “We will do our best to establish the just history of May, leave lessons for future generations, and build a just and prosperous Gwangju.”

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