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The entrance gate of Jeonnam University
This is the place where the Gwangju May 18 Democratic Uprising started. At the midnight of May 17, 1980 the illegal martial law was enacted over the nation and the martial troops had beaten and arrested the students who was studying at the library, which led to the ignition of uprising.
There was the first students' resistance against the martial troops who stoped students' entering to school and then they moved to Gwangju Station and Geumnam Road for resitant demonstration. While the martial troops captured and confined the resistants to the gym and school buildings, the deads was found and their bodies were buried under the campus ground and then excavated later.
At those times the Youngbong stream ran by in front of the entrance gate and the bridge was on it, which was covered and built into the road. The school building which was used for confining the students was demolished and the entranced gate was redesigned later.
Gwangju Station Square
It is the place where Gwangju citizens fiercely struggled against martial forces during the May 18th Gwangju Peoples' Uprising.
In the night of May 20 martial forces posted in Gwangju station pulled a trigger to demilitarized citizens demonstrating bloody suppression by martial forces, then several number of citizen were injured. The next morning two dead bodies were founded at it. These two dead bodies were moved to the Jeonnam Provincial Office Front Square. This news made a hundred thousand citizens indignant and participated in the struggle.
The Old Gwangju Bus Terminal
It is the place where Gwangju Bus Terminal and a transport center connecting each cities and counties of Jeonnam region during the May 18th Gwangju Peoples' Uprising.
In the afternoon of May 19, a large scale of demonstration against aggressive suppression by martial forces was held at this place. Breaking into a waiting room and an underpass, the martial forces flourished gun-sword. It became a bloody massacred place in a moment. As this news was quickly spreaded in all Jeonnam area by passengers, the Jeonnam folks took part in the struggle. In addition, it was used as a billeting place of martial forces at a time.
Geumnam Street
This Geumnam Street is road of the struggle where Gwangju citizens fiercely fought against martial forces every day.
In May 18 students firstly demonstrated in front of Gwangju Catholic Center, and from next day many students and citizens were gathered and expressed their anger. In the night of May 20, a bing scale of rally was held and over 100 drivers participated in this rally drove their cars on this road.
Geumnam Street, where about 300 thousands of Gwangju citizens gathered and requested the democracy and stop of military dictatorship until the collective fire of May 21 by martial forces, is a symbolic road of the May 18th Gwangju Peoples' Uprising.
After the Uprising, there were continuously struggles for reveling the truth of the May 18th on this road, and also in the Catholic Center citizens' demonstrations for democracy were held ceaselessly. At that time, the Catholic Gwangju branch and the Gwangju CBS were located in the center. As the Catholic Gwangju branch informed the martial forces' fierce massacre and lonely bloody struggle of Gwangju citizens to each churches in Korea, the situation of the Gwangju was known in Korea and other countries. They also had lightened "the Light of May Gwangju," until now.
Jeonnam Provincial Office Building and May 18th Democracy Square
Jeonnam Provincial Office Building
The Jeonnam Provincial Office Building is the place where the headquarter was located and several civil armies were dead finally.
In the beginning of the Uprising, it was the target which citizens expressed their anger against military coup regime. Their thoughts and angers were condensed in the slogan: "Let's go to the provincial Office!" In May 21, having been faced in Gwangju citizens' desperate struggle, military forces had stayed in the provincial office building withdrawal to the outer of Gwangju city. As the Martial Law having been spreaded all around Korea, they had stayed in this place.
After that, it was rolled as the center of civil community: leading group was stayed and the Civil Committee Entrusted to Control the Situation discussed the situation controlling measures in it. It was also the last battle place where civil armies finally fought against martial forces in the dawn of May 27. In the last battle, several civil armies were dead in this place.
The May 18th Democracy Square
The May 18th Democracy Square is the symbol of the democracy of Korea. As burning their struggle will, Gwangju citizens held a various rallies making a fountain stand as a platform.
Three days in a row before May 18, holding a large 'National and Democratic Rally,' university students and citizens announced the letters for current situation and required the democracy and the end of military coup regime. In this rally a lot of highschool students were participated in.
This place, where various rallies stirring up the struggle will for democracy were held after the withdrawal of martial forces in May 21, is the birthplace of the 'May Spirit.
Sangmukwan
Sangmukwan is the place where victims of the Uprising were temporarily enclosed. In Sangmukwna, seeing the dead bodies killed by the collective fire and merciless suppression of the forces, citizens kept back their tears of anger against martial forces. During the Uprising times, Gwangju citizens continuously burned incense for victims and burned their will more and more.
Gwangju YMCA
It is the place where the Uprising leading group frequently held the inner rally. In May 26, the gun-shooting training for civil army was operated in order to protect by themselves. After the Uprising, many rallies for continuing the 'May Spirit' were held in it. Further more, it was the stronghold of the anti-dictatorship and anti-Yushin movement from 1960s.
Old Site of Gwangju MBC
During the Gwangju Uprising, the Gwangju MBC building was stood in it. The organs of public opinion, which was controlled by the military coups under the situation of Martial Law, were strongly protested, because they didn't report not only the heat of struggle and martial forces' excessive suppressions.
In the course of citizens' strong protest requiring the presses' right report about Gwangju, the Gwangju MBC was burned in the night of May 20, and the Gwangju KBS in the dawn of next day. Also the Gwangju Revenue Office was burned. This was a kind of protest against martial forces supported by peoples' taxes and the expression of punishment.
Old Site of Nokdu Book Store
It is the place where the Nokdu book store, one of a birthplace of May 18th Gwangju Peoples' Uprising, was stood.
As democratic young students' gathering room, Nokdu book store had provided the room for them to aggressively discuss the current situation during the dark age of Yushin regime. In the evening of May 17, as many national democratic movement leaders were pre-arrested by martial coups, the young students gathered and prepared to an indignation meeting for democratization: they wrote the wall papers and placards.
During the Uprising times, teachers and workers studied in the Dulbul night school gathered informations and connected each other throughout this store. They also informed citizens of break news through the 'Fighters' Bulletin,' which they had published.
Jeonnam National University Hospital
This was a kind of the field hospital during the Gwangju Uprising which many doctors showed the real feature of them as a doctor. In the situation that several injured persons had rush to the hospital and hearing the mourn of mortally wounded patients, doctors and nurses tried their best to survive one more patient around the clock, and the tail of citizens' blood donation was reached to the outer square.
In addition, civil army aggressively fought against martial forces on the top of the building.
Gwangju Catholic Hospital
This was a kind of democratic medical center during the Gwangju Uprising.
Even medical staffs couldn't eat owing to the simultaneous wave of patients. As the news was spreaded that the blood for transfusion was not sufficient, citizens showed the hottest democratic hope: many citizens, including primarily school students, voluntarily donated their blood. That is, during that time, Gwangju citizens helped each other irrelevant to the gender and age.
After the end of the Uprising, as gave the medical care to the victims and their family, this hospital showed the elegant spirit of Catholic.
Old Gwangju Red Cross Hospital
This is as the place where Gwangju Red Cross Hospital was stood during the Gwangju Uprising, wounded citizens and civil army were received medical care devotedly.
In such a strained situation, doctors and nurses showed the devote and sacrificial works during that time. Hearing the news that blood is needed, citizens, including prostitutes ran to the hospital. In their sacrificial jobs, we can see the beautiful civil spirit.
After the end of the Uprising, as gave the medical care to the victims and their family, this hospital showed the elegant spirit of Red Cross.
Josun University
Before the May 18th Gwangju Peoples's Uprising, Josun University students had led to the democratization movement in this region with Jeonnam National University students. During the Uprising, they had a important roll in the leading group of civil army.
In such a strained situation, doctors and nurses showed the devote and sacrificial works during that time. Hearing the news that blood is needed, citizens, including prostitutes ran to the hospital. In their sacrificial jobs, we can see the beautiful civil spirit.
Hungry Peoples' Bridge Area
This area of Hungry Peoples Bridge, now called in Honglim Bridge, was the typical place where after civil army bet off martial forces in May 21, they efficiently protected themselves and area.
Preparing for reattack of martial forces which withdrew to the Josun University back mountain, residents militarized themselves in a central roll of the young and made strict precautions from a sunset times after constructing defensive line in the center of this bridge.
In the case of midnight of May 22, they exchanged fire with forces for thirty minutes, then repelled them. Residents had a close relationship with civil army: they offer pieces of rice, cigarette and water to their army.
Massacre Place of Innocent People around Joonam Village
It is the place where defeated martial forces in the downtown battle in May 21 stayed and fired their gun against driven cars between Gwangju and Hwasun indiscriminately.
For example, in May 23, they fired to the mini-buses which 18 passengers were on, then only one passenger was survived. More mercilessly, they killed two wounded passenger at the back mountain of Joonam village. Their dead bodies were excavated right after the Uprising.
In the case of midnight of May 22, they exchanged fire with forces for thirty minutes, then repelled them. Residents had a close relationship with civil army: they offer pieces of rice, cigarette and water to their army.
Massacre Place of Innocent People between Gwangju and Mokpo
It is the place where many innocent people was killed by fire mistaken by martial forces in May 24.
About May 24, 1:00 p.m., there was a fire battle between some parts of martial forces which had been withdrawing over the back mountain of Josun University from down town and the others laying in ambush. In this mistaken gun battle, many solders was dead each other. At that time, martial forces indiscriminately fired to the residents of Wonjae and Jinwol villages frightened by their gun battle and ran over. Even they killed the children swimming in the reservoir.
Their brutality, however, was not over. As venting of their anger, they broken into the village besides the road between Gwangju and Mokpo, then killed the innocent villagers. Also there was a lot of victims because of their indiscriminately fire against demilitarizes vehicles.
Nongseoung Square Battle Field
It is the place where innocent peoples lived around the Nongseoung square were killed by martial forces indiscriminately fires. In May 22, martial forces withdrew from downtown established the control zone and confronted with the civil army at this place.
When civil army confronted with the martial forces, the members of Citizens Committee Entrusted to Control the Situation visited the headquarter of martial forces and tried to solve the situation through negotiation across the deadline. Also, in the morning of May 26, as the martial forces retried to break the defensive line of civil army, they lay on the board of square without any weapon and made the 'March of Death' at this place.
Old Site of Sangmudae
It is the place where Sangmudae, Educational Post of Republic of Korean Army for Battle Branch, was located and during the time of the Uprising there was a headquarter of Jeonnam and Jeonpuk Martial Law.
The meeting of martial forces' commander frequently was held at this place, and some member of the Citizens Committee Entrusted to Control the Situation negotiated with the heads of forces. After end of the Uprising, about 3,000 citizens were locked up at the guardhouse of Military Police and suffered torture and assault beyond imagination. In addition, military court of it sentenced death and imprisonment for life to innocent citizens on a charge of rebellion.
As this area is turned into a new housing lots, the ruins of guardhouse and military court at that time remains in other place.
Front Gate of Mudeung Stadium
It is the place where taxi and bus drivers who angered at the excessive repression of martial forces announced the joining in the Uprising and started to the driving demonstrations.
With Buses in the front, they headed to the Geumnam Street giving the alarm whistle and lightening the headlights. This rally participated in over 100 taxies and buses drivers was a naturally grandeur scenary, and inspired citizens to tight solidarity and sense of confidence about the Uprising.
To celebrate this day, the day of May 20 fixed as the 'Democratic Drivers' Day.'
Yangdong Market
The trade people of Yangdong market together with the one of Daein market showed the 'Cooperative Mind': they freely offered much pieces of rice ball and necessities of life to civil army. The scenary that they gathered Gimbab, rice cake, water, and pharmacy and supported them to civil army are never forgotten until now.
Gwangju Park Square ―The place where civil army was organized
It is the place where after lost of a hundred of citizens by martial forces' collective fire at the Provincial Office Square in May 21, leading group of the Uprising organized the civil army and practiced the gun-shooting training to protect citizens with the guns and bullets from neighboring cities and counties.
Even though the civil army was not controlled by regular order system from the beginning times, in the case of Gwangju, commanding group was naturally organized, and then temporarily controlled the anarchic city of Gwangju ―they were in charge of patrolling and registration of vehicles― until they dismissed in May 24.
In May 27, when martial forces reentered Gwangju, there was a fierce gun battle.
Gwangju Jail
It was one of staying places of martial forces. Stayed in this place, they indiscriminately fired against vehicles and citizens moving to the Damyang and Sunchon.
They also indiscriminately fired with heavy firearms against the citizens who ran to protest their brutality.
During the times of the Uprising, a lot of innocent peoples were dragged into the jail and suffered from the merciless torture. In the situation, some people were killed and their dead bodies were buried at the near mountain. They were excavated right after the Uprising.
Gwangju Hospital of Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea
It is the place where injured citizens suffered from the torture and violence in the course of inquest by headquarter of Martial Law received forced medical care.
Citizens arrested by martial forces around downtown were dragged into the headquarter of Martial Law located in the Sangmudae, and relentlessly quizzed accompanied with severe tortures and violences. In the situation, wounded citizens were delivered into this hospital and took the medical care under the awe-inspiring atmosphere. Even in the hospital, they could not escape from the detective's eyesight of watching from the headquarter of Martial Law.
Old May 18th Cemetery
This cemetery, so called Mangwoldong Cemetery, is the place where victims of the Uprising had been buried.
At that time, the victims' family and relatives buried their severely damaged dead bodies at this cemetery trembling with anger. More severely, some dead bodies having no relatives and killed peoples' one in the last battle of Provincial Office in May 27 were delivered through garbage trucks and buried at it.
This cemetery, so called Mangwoldong Cemetery, is the place where victims of the Uprising had been buried.
At that time, the victims' family and relatives buried their severely damaged dead bodies at this cemetery trembling with anger. More severely, some dead bodies having no relatives and killed peoples' one in the last battle of Provincial Office in May 27 were delivered through garbage trucks and buried at it.
In 1994, the Kim Young-sam administration launched to the project making this as a sacred place and finished a newly created cemetery three years later. At last, backing to the 17-year-history of dishonor, victims of the Uprising closed their eyes in ease.
Because this old cemetery has remained the disastrous situation and a lot of worshipers came from all around the world ceaselessly visit, it is keeping its originals.
Supervised by(Contact) : May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising Enhancement Division(+82-62-613-3672)
The entrance gate of Jeonnam University
This is the place where the Gwangju May 18 Democratic Uprising started. At the midnight of May 17, 1980 the illegal martial law was enacted over the nation and the martial troops had beaten and arrested the students who was studying at the library, which led to the ignition of uprising. 
It is the place where Gwangju citizens fiercely struggled against martial forces during the May 18th Gwangju Peoples' Uprising. 
This Geumnam Street is road of the struggle where Gwangju citizens fiercely fought against martial forces every day. 
Jeonnam Provincial Office Building
The Jeonnam Provincial Office Building is the place where the headquarter was located and several civil armies were dead finally. 
During the Gwangju Uprising, the Gwangju MBC building was stood in it. The organs of public opinion, which was controlled by the military coups under the situation of Martial Law, were strongly protested, because they didn't report not only the heat of struggle and martial forces' excessive suppressions. 
It is the place where defeated martial forces in the downtown battle in May 21 stayed and fired their gun against driven cars between Gwangju and Hwasun indiscriminately. 
This cemetery, so called Mangwoldong Cemetery, is the place where victims of the Uprising had been buried. 
