Buk-gu Youth Executive Committee in Gwangju to Create Map of 18 May 18 Historic Sites

Summarizing Events by Location Along City Bus Route 518
Blood Donation Campaign on May 22 to Carry On the Spirit of Solidarity and Community

In commemoration of the upcoming anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, the "Youth Executive Committee," a research group of young public officials from Buk-gu, Gwangju, is launching initiatives to remember May 46 years ago.

According to Buk-gu District Office on May 11, five unique programs themed "May, Our Stories Blooming Together" will be held under the auspices of the 32nd Youth Executive Committee until May 22.

On May 8, approximately 40 members of the Youth Executive Committee, including public officials and newly appointed staff, visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery to pay their respects. They spent time honoring the spirit of democracy by cleaning headstones and placing small Korean flags.

Promotional activities will also be carried out to raise awareness of historic sites throughout Gwangju. The group will visit 18 historic locations along city bus route 518 and produce a leaflet-style map summarizing the events at each site. The completed maps will be made available free of charge at frequently visited locations such as the Civil Affairs and Passport Division and local administrative welfare centers.

On May 15 and 18, "May Stories to Listen Together," written and recorded by young public officials themselves, will be broadcast over the district office’s internal PA system. In addition, on May 22, a public officials’ blood donation campaign will be held in the plaza of Buk-gu Office to carry on the spirit of solidarity and community demonstrated by citizens 46 years ago. The collected blood donation certificates will be donated to organizations such as the Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation.

In addition, the "May Challenge," in which all staff participate, will continue through May 22. Staff will set their computer background images to those related to the May 18 Democratic Movement and take part in an acrostic poem contest for "O-il-pal" (May 18), bringing the spirit of May into their everyday routines.

A representative from Buk-gu said, "We hope this program, filled with the creative ideas of young public officials, will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of May and to share the noble spirit of those who fought for democracy."