E2024-G191
May 18th National Cemetery: Remembering the Martyrs of Democracy
Narrative
The May 18th National Cemetery stands as a place of remembrance for one of Korea’s most significant democratic movements. The cemetery commemorates the May 18th Democratic Uprising of 1980, when Gwangju citizens courageously resisted the military junta led by Chun Doo-hwan in their struggle for democracy.
The cemetery serves as both a burial ground and memorial site, featuring several commemorative structures. The Memorial Tower stands as the central monument, while the World of Great Unity Sculpture and Armed Resistance Sculpture capture the spirit of the movement through artistic representation. The Memorial Gate Sculpture marks the entrance to this sacred space.
The site is accessible through the Spirit Course, a pilgrimage route that guides visitors to the resting places of the movement’s martyrs. The connection between the cemetery and the historical events is further reinforced by Bus Route 518, which provides transportation to the cemetery while symbolically linking the present to the events of May 18th.
Today, the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery continues to serve as a place where citizens can pay respects to those who sacrificed their lives for democracy, ensuring that the memory of their struggle remains alive for future generations.
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