[Report] "Have a Rice Ball Before You Go"... Geumnam-ro in Gwangju Returns to May 46 Years Ago

Citizen Festival on Geumnam-ro Ahead of 46th Anniversary
Experience Booths by Civic Groups, Including Rice Ball Sharing
"We Must Remember the Spirit of May that Defended Democracy"

"I visited because I wanted to experience Gwangju during the May 18 Democratic Uprising and learn about its history and symbolism. We must never forget the spirit of May."

On May 16, two days before the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the area around Geumnam-ro in Dong-gu, Gwangju was vibrant with commemorative events. The Democratic Peace March, celebrating the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, was held at various locations including Gwangju High School, Buk-dong Cathedral, and Gwangju Station. This year's event, which reenacted the street marches for democratization from May 1980, saw about 2,000 participants including students, citizens, and people from various walks of life.

On the 16th, two days before the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the Democratic Peace March is taking place around Geumnam-ro in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

Around 4 p.m., participants shouted slogans such as "Let us carry on the spirit of May" as they set out, covering a 2.7 km route through downtown and arriving at the May 18 Democracy Plaza in front of the former Jeonnam Provincial Office after about an hour and twenty minutes. When the procession entered Geumnam-ro, citizens joined together to sing "March for the Beloved," a song of May. At the fountain in the plaza of the former provincial office, a reenactment of the "National Democratic Rally," just like 46 years ago, continued.

Earlier in the afternoon, with vehicle access restricted, a variety of booths were set up so that people could directly experience and feel the spirit of "Daedong Sesang," the great unity shown by the Gwangju community in May 1980. The Citizen Festival booths offered a range of hands-on programs such as making rice balls, riding the democracy bus, making bracelets and keyrings, and exploring individual booths run by civic groups, all of which drew many citizens.

On the 16th, two days before the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, a rice ball distribution booth is being operated around Geumnam-ro in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

Under the tents along Geumnam-ro, organizations including the May Mothers’ House and the Gwangju branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union operated rice ball sharing booths. These groups called out to passersby, "Have a rice ball before you go!" Citizens, after tasting the rice balls, expressed their gratitude, saying, "It's so delicious. It feels like experiencing the food from that time." Smiles were evident on the faces of those exchanging rice balls. One citizen held up a rice ball and took a commemorative photo, embracing the communal spirit of May.

On one side of the Geumnam-ro street, a retro yellow bus appeared, bearing signs that read "Citizens to the Provincial Office" and "Lift Martial Law." The "Democracy Bus," which replicates the vehicles used by the civilian militia in 1980, operated a program touring historic May 18 sites such as Junam Village, the site of the first shootings, Chonnam National University, and the Red Cross Hospital.

Citizens who boarded the bus and took commemorative photos imagined the situation of the time, saying, "How frightened they must have been in front of the soldiers." Hyukjin Kim (46) said, "I was born during the period when May 18 happened, so I don't know all the details, but I am so proud of the people of Gwangju who stood up to the soldiers for democracy. Every year, various events are prepared ahead of May 18, so I make it a point to visit Geumnam-ro."

Another booth featured a program to assemble a puzzle of the former Jeonnam Provincial Office, as well as spaces to mourn the recent knife attack on a Gwangju high school girl and a booth by the National Center for Trauma Treatment of State Violence.

Citizens wrote yellow ribbons in memory of the high school girl who lost her life in the stabbing incident. Gounhee Ko (26) said, "It's heartbreaking that a high school student lost her life so suddenly in a knife attack. I hope society will build stronger safety nets so there will be no more victims of senseless crimes."

Meanwhile, on one side of Geumnam-ro, a conservative group held a "Yoon Again" rally. Originally planned to be held in front of the Mudeung Building on Geumnam-ro, the rally was moved across from NC Wave due to overlap with the Democratic Peace March route.

The May Mothers' Association protested the rally by singing "March for the Beloved," but no physical clashes occurred.

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