E2024-G089

Deulbul Night School and Nokdu Bookstore

Narrative

The Deulbul (Wildfire) Night School was established in July 1978 as Gwangju’s first labor night school, serving as a pro-democratization social activist youth group that conducted the city’s first worker condition surveys and played a central role in the labor movement. Founded by Bak Gi-sun (1957-1978), the school met at Nokdu Bookstore and was deeply influenced by the legacy of labor activist Jeon Tae-il (1948-1970).

The night school operated from both Gwangcheon-dong Catholic Church and the Gwangcheon Citizens’ Apartment complex, where several key members including Bak Gwan-hyeon (1953-1982), Bak Yong-jun (1956-1980), and Yun Sang-won (1950-1980) resided. The group collected funds from apartment residents to publish their main publication, the Tusa hakbo (Fighters’ Bulletin), which was published by Bak Yong-jun and Yun Sang-won.

During the May 18 Democratic Uprising of 1980, Nokdu Bookstore became a crucial center of resistance, where leaflets were printed and weapons were prepared. When the space became inadequate, operations moved to other locations on May 24. The night school’s members played leading roles in the uprising, with figures like Park Gwan-hyeon and Yoon Sang-won becoming prominent leaders of the democratic movement.

Tragically, seven members of the night school were died either before, during, or after the uprising, becoming known as the Seven Deulbul Martyrs: Kim Yeong-cheol (1948-1998), Bak Gwan-hyeon, Bak Gi-sun, Bak Yong-jun, Bak Hyo-seon (1954-1998), Sin Yeong-il (1958-1988), and Yun Sang-won. Their sacrifice is commemorated by the Monument of the Seven Deulbul Martyrs located in 5.18 Liberty Park, and their legacy is preserved by the Deulbul Martyrs Memorial Foundation.

The night school was forced to close after only three years due to the military government’s crackdown following the uprising, but its impact on Gwangju’s democratization movement remains significant.

Story Map

• Literary Witnesses: Writing Democracy and Resistance
  • Deulbul Night School and Nokdu Bookstore
  • Fictional Portrayals of the May 18 Democratic Uprising: Literature
  • Hwang Sok-yong: Remembering the May 18 Democratic Uprising through Words
  • From Gwangju to the World: Nobel Prize Laureate Han Kang
  • Recording the Events of the May 18 Democratic Uprising: Gwangju Diary by Lee Jae-eui
  • Poet Kim Jun-tae: Remembering Gwangju and the May 18 Democratic Uprising