Kim Dae-jung's "Action" and Han Kang's "Language"... Meet in Gwangju

Gwangju History and Folk Museum Hosts Kim Dae-jung and Han Kang Exhibition
5·18 Records and the Language of Literature in One Place
Exhibition Runs Until February 1 Next Year

The Gwangju History and Folk Museum will hold a special exhibition in celebration of the "Revolution of Light, Democracy Week," marking the 25th anniversary of President Kim Dae-jung's Nobel Peace Prize and the first anniversary of author Han Kang's Nobel Prize in Literature. The exhibition, titled "The Ethics of Memory, The Language of Peace," will run from December 9 to February 1 next year.

'The Ethics of Memory, The Language of Peace' Exhibition. Provided by Gwangju City

The exhibition brings together the life of President Kim Dae-jung, who is deeply connected to Gwangju, the literary work of Han Kang, who has rooted her writing in Gwangju, and records of 5·18 historic sites by local photographers, all in one space. Structured at the intersection of politics, history, literature, and photography, the exhibition invites visitors to revisit "the memories preserved by Gwangju" from a contemporary perspective.

Part 1, "Action," introduces President Kim Dae-jung's political practice through speeches, letters written in prison, and archival materials, retracing how his activities for democracy and human rights led to his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.

Part 2, "Gaze," features 5·18 historic sites photographed by the "Thursday Photo" group. The images, captured with a restrained perspective, leave space for viewers to interpret the memories in their own way.

Part 3, "Voice," explores the literary world of Han Kang, examining how historical events such as 5·18 and 4·3 have been expressed in her works.

The Gwangju City Government expects that this exhibition will serve as an opportunity to shed light on the public values of democracy, peace, and human rights, the memories of wounds embedded in literature, and the documentation of local spaces.

Director Lim Chan-hyuk stated, "This exhibition goes beyond celebrating the achievements of two individuals; it is a chance to revisit the memories preserved by Gwangju through a contemporary lens. I hope visitors will find time for reflection and empathy."

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