Gwangju Rekindles the Memory of December 3... One Year of the 'Revolution of Light'

Reflecting on a Year of Citizen Action Against Unlawful Martial Law
Exhibitions, Lectures, and Forums Mark "Democracy Week" Until the 12th
Events Also Celebrate the First Anniversary of Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature

"By day, they were ordinary office workers; by night, they became fighters for democracy."

The echoes that filled the May 18 Democratic Square in Gwangju on a winter night one year ago are returning once again. In December, the city of Gwangju will hold the "Revolution of Light: Democracy Week," commemorating both the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law Opposition Citizens' Movement and the first anniversary of author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature.

On December 14 last year, citizens attending the 6th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally at the special stage in Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, cheered as the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed. Photo by Song Bohyun

From December 1 to 12, Gwangju will host "Revolution of Light: Democracy Week." The city will hold major events and celebrate the first anniversary of Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature, offering a variety of citizen participation programs such as exhibitions, lectures, forums, and film screenings under the themes of remembrance, voices, solidarity, and light.

On December 3, the day martial law was declared last year, a "Revolution of Light First Anniversary Joint Press Conference" will be held at the May 18 Democratic Square. The Gwangju Community Joint Conference, May organizations, and civic groups will participate to revisit the illegality of the martial law declaration, the process of demanding its lifting, and the flow of citizen solidarity at the time.

On December 14 last year, during the 6th Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held at the special stage in Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, Mayor Kang Gijeong of Gwangju, Superintendent Lee Jeongseon of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, President Kim Seungnam of Gwangju Urban Corporation, and Mayor Lim Taek of Dong-gu attended. Photo by Song Bohyun

Exhibitions and film screenings will also take place. Until December 10, the Citizens' Hall at City Hall will host the "2025 Gwangju City News Photo Exhibition," showcasing over 100 photos documenting Gwangju's history. From December 3 to 6, the Gwangju Independent Film Theater will offer free screenings of films based on Han Kang's novels and documentaries related to martial law. The May 18 Democratization Movement Archives will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a commemorative exhibition and academic conference.

Starting December 9, the Museum of History and Folklore will organize a special exhibition (tentatively titled "First Anniversary of the Nobel Prize") highlighting the democratic, human rights, and peace spirit embodied by Han Kang and former President Kim Dae-jung. On December 12, author Hong Daeseon will give a lecture on "Impeachment and the Importance of Democratic Citizenship" at the Work-Family Balance Support Center.

An event for International Human Rights Day will also be held on December 10. The 77th Anniversary Ceremony of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will take place at the Daedong Hall of the May 18 Memorial Center, and a pop-up store featuring around 30 local bookstores will operate until December 14 at the Book Cafe in Jeonil Building 245. Each bookstore will also offer special programs, such as exhibitions of Nobel Prize-winning books.

A boy is holding a Taegeukgi flag and a poster at the celebration event for author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature award held on December 10 last year in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

An international forum celebrating the first anniversary of Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature will be held on December 10 and 11 at the Asia Culture Center. Under the subtitle "A Boy Stands in the Square," translators, writers, and critics from Korea and abroad will discuss topics such as Han Kang's literature and the past year, Korean literature and the humanistic city of Gwangju, and the dynamism of Asian literature.

There will also be a variety of citizen participation programs. On December 11, Mudeung Library will host the "Again, ON Literature" book concert with author Jeong Yeoul and the Seoyul Band, and during the same period, an exhibition of about 60 citizen calligraphy works using Han Kang's sentences will be on display. At the G.MAP Media Wall and the Creative Belt Zone 5, media art content inspired by Han Kang's creative world will be screened. The City Art Museum will install flags themed "Han Kang·Nobel Prize" created by local young artists in parks and along walking paths.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "Gwangju is a city that has defended democracy through citizen solidarity even in times of historical crisis, and the values of Gwangju are reflected in Han Kang's achievements as well. Through Democracy Week, we will reflect on that spirit together with our citizens."

On December 7th last year at 5 PM, the 4th General Rally of Gwangju citizens was held at the May 18th Democratic Square, where a girl is holding a handmade sign that reads "Please do not ruin my future." Photo by Song Bohyun

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