5·18 Old Gravesite to Become a Citizen-Friendly 'K-Democracy Living Classroom'

Gwangju City and May 18 Organizations Reach Social Consensus After Over Three Years of Discussions
History Museum, Memorial Columbarium, and Commemorative Plaza Planned... Completion Targeted for 2029

The 5·18 old gravesite, where the victims of May 1980 were first laid to rest, will be developed into a citizen-friendly democracy park. After more than three years of discussions, Gwangju City and related 5·18 organizations have reached a social consensus. Gwangju City plans to invest a total project budget of 20 billion won, fully funded by the national government, to complete the transformation by 2029, establishing the site as the 'Birthplace of the Revolution of Light' and a 'K-Democracy Living Classroom.'

According to Gwangju City on May 10, a tea meeting was held at City Hall on May 6 with representatives from the 5·18 Democratization Movement public corporation, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Memorial Alliance, and the National Democratic Martyrs' Sacred Burial Ground Promotion Council. During this meeting, the participants agreed on a 'social consensus plan for the development of the 5·18 old gravesite democracy park.'

Aerial view of the 5·18 Old Cemetery in Mangwol-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Gwangju City plans to transform the 5·18 Old Cemetery into a citizen-friendly democratic park, making it a "K-Democracy Outdoor Educational Venue." Provided by Gwangju City.

The 5·18 old gravesite democracy park development project has been promoted by Gwangju City, which has explained its necessity to the central government and the National Assembly. This project, which will proceed with a total project budget of 20 billion won entirely covered by national funds, is the first such full-scale national project in the 28 years since the 5·18 old gravesite was designated as a historic site.

The consensus plan includes the creation of a large outdoor event plaza for memorial ceremonies, a stone plaza, and a multipurpose event space for indoor commemorative events. Additionally, a new history museum and a memorial columbarium for national democratic martyrs will be constructed as exhibition spaces.

The project will also involve relocating the main vehicle entrance, creating a pedestrian memorial plaza connected to the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, demolishing and rebuilding aging facilities such as the city corporation office, kiosk, and restrooms, as well as installing a visitor center and cafeteria and refurbishing park facilities.

Gwangju City explained that since forming the promotion council with related organizations in March 2023, they have held 15 council meetings and more than 50 explanatory sessions and discussions to reach this agreement.

Gwangju City will proceed with administrative procedures, including establishing the basic architectural plan and revising the development restriction and park development plans. Following this, the city will develop history museum content and complete the basic and detailed designs, aiming to finish the project by 2029.

Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, stated, "It is meaningful that we are able to proceed with the project to develop the 5·18 old gravesite as the birthplace of the Revolution of Light, where the Gwangju spirit lives on, through long deliberation and social consensus." He added, "The 5·18 old gravesite will become a K-Democracy pilgrimage site visited by people from around the world and be recognized as a valuable asset for all humanity."

The 5·18 old gravesite is where the victims of the 5·18 Democratization Movement in May 1980 were first buried. It is also the resting place of national democratic martyrs such as Lee Han-yeol and is known as the setting for the novel "Human Acts" by author Han Kang.

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