E2024-G086
The Role of Catholic Leaders in the May 18 Democratic Uprising
Narrative
Catholic leaders played a significant role during the May 18 Democratic Uprising in Gwangju. The uprising was a response to the oppressive military regime led by Chun Doo-hwan (1931-2021). Key Catholic figures and institutions were deeply involved in supporting the citizens’ struggle for democracy. The 5.18 Citizen Emergency Headquarters, active during the uprising, included representatives like Father Cho Pius (1938-2016), who worked as part of this pivotal group. The Catholic Church became a hub for organizing resistance and providing shelter, with the Gwangju Catholic Center and Bukdong Catholic Church being focal points. These places were closely affiliated with the Archdiocese of Gwangju, led by Archbishop Youn Kong-hi (1924-), which demonstrated long-term leadership and support. The church properties were not only locations for gatherings but also witnessed heavy military action, such as the incursion by martial law troops at Bukdong Catholic Church, marking the intensity of the conflict. Moreover, the Justice and Peace Committee of Gwangju Diocese documented these events in the publication Owol geunal i dasi omyeon (When That Day in May Comes Again), ensuring the history and impact of the uprising, with Catholic involvement, were preserved. Catholic leaders’ involvement during the uprising was pivotal, providing both moral and logistical support to the citizens of Gwangju, highlighting their commitment to justice and democracy during the conflict.
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Story Map
- May 18 Legacy: Voices of Democracy and Remembrance
- UNESCO Human Rights Documentary Heritage Archives
- Chonnam National University: Where the Call for Democracy Began
- Witness to History: The Jeonil Building and Former Jeollanam-do Provincial Office
- Remembrance through Revitalization: Jeonil Building 245 and Democracy Square
- Tales from the Outside: Foreign Witnesses’ Accounts of the May 18 Democratic Uprising
- The Role of Catholic Leaders in the May 18 Democratic Uprising
- The Role of the YWCA in the May 18 Democratic Uprising
- Representing the People in the May 18 Democratic Uprising: The Citizen Emergency Headquarters
