Gyeongnam National University, 'K-Democracy Research Institute' ... Continuing the Spirit of Regional Democracy

With systematic and in-depth research education,

plans to inherit and develop the spirit of the democratization movement

On the afternoon of the 17th, Gyeongnam National University held the opening ceremony of the ‘K-Democracy Research Institute’ at the rooftop garden of Goun Hall.

On the afternoon of the 17th, Gyeongnam National University held the opening ceremony of the 'K-Democracy Research Institute' at the rooftop garden of Goun Hall.

Masan, where the Gyeongnam National University K-Democracy Research Institute is located, has been recognized as a representative ‘democracy sacred site’ in Korea due to events such as the ‘March 15 Uprising,’ the ‘October 18 Bu-Ma Democratic Protests,’ and the ‘June 10 Democratic Uprising.’ However, unlike Seoul, Busan, and Gwangju, it had no research institute related to democracy.

Accordingly, Gyeongnam National University newly established the ‘K-Democracy Research Institute’ to inherit the spirit of Korea’s democratization movement and create alternatives to overcome the current democracy crisis through systematic and in-depth research and education. The inaugural director is Professor Jeong Seong-gi of the Department of Real Estate Economics and Finance, who has served as president of the Bu-Ma Democratic Protests Memorial Association and vice president of the March 15 Uprising Memorial Association.

In addition, various programs and content such as special lectures, academic conferences, and academic journal publications will be developed and operated to help mature democratic spirit take root in the region.

President Park Jae-gyu said, “During politically dark times, universities stood at the forefront of democratization, and Gyeongnam National University students were among the leaders,” adding, “Since Gyeongnam National University aims for education in democracy, freedom, truth, and creativity, I hope this institute will explore the values of democracy and conduct research with an impartial academic attitude under everyone’s interest and support.”

Following this, inaugural director Jeong Seong-gi stated, “The ‘K-Democracy Research Institute’ was established at Gyeongnam National University, which has a proud history of leading the March 15 Uprising, Bu-Ma Democratic Protests, and June Democratic Uprising, to seek solutions to today’s democracy crisis and ways to overcome it,” expressing his ambition, “We will build a research institute that courageously faces the ‘uncomfortable truths’ with a practical spirit and creates hope in life.”

The opening ceremony was attended by Gyeongnam National University President Park Jae-gyu, K-Democracy Research Institute Director Jeong Seong-gi, Director of the Press and Publication Center Jeong Eun-sang, as well as major democratization movement organizations including the March 15 Uprising Memorial Association, Bu-Ma Democratic Protests Memorial Foundation, Bu-Ma Democratic Protests Memorial Association, and Gyeongnam June Democratic Uprising Memorial Association. In addition, congratulatory messages were delivered from Changwon Mayor Hong Nam-pyo, members of the National Assembly from the Gyeongnam region, and chairpersons and members of local councils.

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