Gwangju Office of Education Marks One Year Since December 3 Martial Law... Launches "Constitution and Democracy Protection Period"

December 3?14: Special Programs at All Schools
Thematic Lessons, Declaration Ceremony, Lecture, and Training Sessions
Distribution of Teacher Resources and Card News
Emphasis on Understanding Constitutional Crises and the Role of Citizens

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education has designated December 3-14 as the “2025 Constitution and Democracy Protection Period.” Marking the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law Incident last year, the office will conduct educational programs for students and staff to reflect on the meaning of constitutional order and the value of democracy.

Citizens attending the Gwangju Citizens' General Rally held on December 11 last year at the 5·18 Democratic Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, are shouting the slogan "Immediate Impeachment of Yoon Seokyeol." Photo by Song Bohyun

On December 1, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced that it had sent official documents titled “2025 Constitution and Democracy Protection Period Operation Guide” to its main office, the Eastern and Western District Education Support Offices, affiliated institutions, and all schools in the region, encouraging each school to operate the program autonomously.

This initiative aims to foster an accurate understanding of constitutional crises, such as the December 3 Martial Law last year, and to emphasize the importance of the constitution and democracy in educational settings.

The main activities to be implemented at schools include: ▲ displaying banners on the protection of the constitution and democracy ▲ conducting special lessons linked to social studies, ethics, history, and creative experiential activities ▲ organizing programs centered on debates, campaigns, and student self-governance ▲ writing pledges to uphold the constitution and transcribing the constitution.

The Office of Education will also distribute to schools the “Teacher’s Resource on Martial Law,” developed last year, and the newly produced “Constitution and Democracy Protection Card News,” for use in classes and special educational programs. These resources provide easy-to-understand explanations of topics such as “Understanding Martial Law,” “Progress of the December 3 Martial Law,” “Comparison of Past Martial Law Declarations,” and “The Role of Democratic Citizens.”

Various events will be held during this period. At 8:30 a.m. on December 3, the “December 3 Democracy Protection Declaration Ceremony” will take place at the main office’s book caf?. Superintendent Lee Jeongseon, main office staff, and members of the Gwangju Student Council will attend to announce an educational declaration to uphold constitutional order and the values of democracy.

Later that day, at 11:30 a.m., Superintendent Lee will deliver a special lecture at Gwangju High School for third-year students on the theme “Writing the History of Popular Sovereignty and Democracy.” The lecture will cover the fundamental spirit of the constitution, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the role of individuals as sovereign members of society.

On December 12, the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education Training Institute will host a training session titled “Thinking about Education from the Perspective of the Constitution,” featuring Moon Hyungbae, former Acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. Around 1,000 staff members will participate, reflecting on how constitutional values should be realized in schools.

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon stated, “The restoration of democracy by stopping the December 3 Martial Law in 2024 was the result of the collective will of the people. I hope that the ‘Constitution and Democracy Protection Period’ will provide an opportunity for us to consider together the role of citizens in ensuring that the constitution protects freedom and rights, and that democracy functions in our daily lives.”

Meanwhile, on December 12 last year, following the December 3 Martial Law, 7,018 middle and high school students in Gwangju, led by the student council, issued a public statement declaring, “We want to live in a democratic country that does not deny its textbooks.”

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