Gwangju May 18 memorial

09.02.2013

Nicole is almost ready to leave, so we took a little trip to Gwangju on the exact wrong day of the year. At least the May 18 memorial was open.

Here is the history from Wikipedia: The Gwangju Democratization Movement (Hangul: 광주 민주화 운동 (광주 민주화 항&#51137 Hanja: 光州民主化運動, RR: Gwangju Minjuhwa Undong) refers to a popular uprising in the city of Gwangju, South Korea from May 18 to 27, 1980. Estimates suggest up to 2,000 people may have died. During this period, citizens rose up against Chun Doo-hwan's dictatorship and took control of the city. In the course of the uprising, citizens took up arms (by robbing police stations and military depots) to oppose the government, but were ultimately crushed by the South Korean army. The event is sometimes called 518, in reference to the date the uprising began.

The museum is pretty nice and gives a good overview of what happened day by day. The cemetery is very touching and the portrait hall is interesting because you can see exactly who these people were. Some of them were very young children, obviously innocent victims. I think it was a good day to spend our holiday.

However, when we got back to town we noticed that nothing was open. Not even Lotte Mart. It was either have lunch at Paris Baguette or starve. We chose to starve. I had a peanutbutter sandwich that I shared and we went home on the train. Oh Lunar New Year, I will conquer you.

Me on the bus