E2024-G123

As Seen Through Landmarks: The Modernization of Administration in the Late Japanese Colonial Period

Story

Looking at Gwangju’s landmark buildings, the 1930s and 1940s, which correspond to the latter half of the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945), are marked by buildings associated with government administration, namely the Former Jeollanam-do Provincial Government Building, including its main building (1930) and conference hall (1932). These buildings, which are now used as the May 18 Memorial Hall, serve as a testament to the push for modernization of administration during the late colonial period.

• Former Main Building of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Office
  • This building, built in 1930, was designed by Kim Sun-ha (1901-1966), an architect who was active in Gwangju at the time. It was unusual for a Korean architect to design a government building during the colonial period.
• Former Conference Hall of Jeollanam-do Provincial Government
  • This building, built in 1932, was also designed by Kim Sun-ha (1901-1966). The red brick building has two above-ground stories and a basement. The outer walls are painted white. The second story features pairs of short windows above long windows, which makes the building appear as if it has a third story. The front of the second story is decorated with a central glass facade and the corners of the building are rounded, which were innovative aesthetics and construction techniques for the time. After Korea re-gained independence in 1945, the building was used as an assembly hall of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly and as a civil affairs office. During the May 18 Democratic Uprising in 1980, it was used as an armory by the citizen army, with the second floor being used as a canteen and rest area.