Photographer Kim Hyangdeuk, Former May 18 Student Militia Member, Passes Away

Continued to Document May 18 Sites and Historical Locations Through Photography
Passed Away at 62 After Battling Parkinson's Disease

Kim Hyangdeuk, a photographer who participated as a high school student in the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, has passed away. He was 62 years old.

Photo by the late photographer Kim Hyangdeuk, Yonhap News Agency

In May 1980, Kim joined the civilian militia as a high school student and was subsequently captured by martial law troops, enduring severe hardships. After graduating from the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting at Chonnam National University, he continued to document the sites and historical locations of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement with his camera.

In 2009, he participated in the first anniversary photo exhibition "Grass, Holding Fire," themed on carrying forward the spirit of May, which featured the "Geumnam-ro Candlelight" series. In 2010, he presented works at the "Memories of Loss" photo and video exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of the May 18 People's Uprising. For the 33rd anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in 2013, he held the photo exhibition "March for the Beloved," showcasing more than 50 works featuring historical sites, memorial stones, and the memorial tower for the uprising.

Recently, it was reported that his health had deteriorated rapidly due to worsening Parkinson's disease, a result of aftereffects from torture.

He is survived by his siblings, Kim Sangchae, Kim Yongdo, and Kim Miyoung. The funeral is being held at the second-floor third memorial room of St. John's Hospital Funeral Hall in Buk-gu, Gwangju, and the burial will take place at the May 18 National Cemetery at 9 a.m. on the 10th.