The 43rd Anniversary Events of the May 18 Democratic Uprising The Events of May

“Honor the Spirit of May 18 as Justice for Today!“

The May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement taught us fundamental values that have never faded over time. Now is the time again that the spirits of May 18 defying injustice at the perils of death should be honored and commemorated. The May 18 Democratic Movement proved people’s power of healing and recovery and, as such, the generations of the past, present, and future will come together on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Movement to finalize the critical tasks of finding the truth and bringing justice to those responsible and to gather power and wisdom for overcoming the current crises. We would like to ask for your ardent interest, participation, and support.

“We Lead the Way. Those Alive, Come with Us!“

-Excerpts from the statement launching the organizing committee for the 43rd anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement-

Commemorations of the 43rd anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement honor the spirit of May 18 as justice for today!

Various events will straddle across Gwangju to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement under the slogan of “Honor the Spirit of May 18 as Justice for Today!“ What is meant by the slogan is to inherit the defiance and community spirits of the Gwangju citizens who feared no death in their desperate quest for democracy. It also means pursuing peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula and pulling forward democracy, fairness, and justice in our society. These events aim to find the truth about the Democratic Movement, inherit the protestors’ spirits, and promote the quest for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement. They are also designed to overcome the crises of democracy, livelihood, wars, and climate change with the community spirit of May 18 and express support for the descendants of the May 18 Democratic Movement.

A public rally will kick off on Geumnam-ro, Gwangju on May 13, followed by various sector events such as rallies by workers, university students, etc. There will also be sessions to voice opinions on pending issues in solidarity.

On the eve of May 18, a main play will be put on the stage involving citizens, titled “We are the justice till the death”, to depict the Gwangju citizens’ spirits of unity and community that flamed under social unrest in an artistic realm. In the history learning program, docents will be stationed at historic sites such as the former Jeonnam Provincial Office and Geumnam-ro and at the graves of the martyrs for democracy and explain the history of the May 18 Democratic Movement and the contemporary interpretation of its spirits to visitors from across the country. Furthermore, diverse events will be unfolded through May, including public festivals, performances with traditional Korean instruments, women's festivals, and the May Action program.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation provides commentaries on the history of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement around Geumnam-ro and guides and educational materials to visitors to related sites. It also plans to operate an information center with experience programs, etc., and proactively promote the spirits of the May 18 Movement through the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2023, the Gwangju Democracy Forum 2023, and the May Literary Award 2023 this year.

For more information on these events and schedules, please visit the homepage of the organizing committee ((https://www.518people.org/)

Main Commemorative Events

The 43rd National ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Movement	May 18, 2023, 10 am, May 18 National Cemetery
The 43rd Memorial service of the May 18 Democratic Movement	May 17, 2023, 9:30 am May 18 National Cemetery
The 2023 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award Ceremony and Celebration Performance	May 18, 2023, 7:00 pm May 18 Democracy Square (Outdoor stage)
Gwangju Democracy Forum 2023	May 14~18, 2023 May 18 Memorial Cultural Center
Public festival (May Citizens Festival)	May 17, 2023, 1:00~5:00 pm Geumnam-ro
The March for Democracy and Peace	May 17, 2023, 5:30 pm~ 7:00 pm Suchang elementary school ~ Geumnam-ro
The May Eve Ceremony	May 17, 2023, 7 pm Geumnam-ro
The Memorial Day for the Democratic Drivers and Reenacting Vehicle Protest	May 20, 2023, Mudeung Stadium ~ Geumnam-ro
The Ceremonoy for Revival	May 27, 2023, May 18 Democracy Square
Wildfire Martyrs Memorial Service and Wildfire Award Ceremony	May 27, 2023. May 18 National Cemetery
Debate on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary	May 18, 2023, 2:00 pm Citizens Maru (4F), Jeonil Building
May 18 Literary Awards Ceremony 2023	May 13, 2023, 4:00 pm Auditorium (8F), Jeonil Building
Art Exhibition 2023 (Yeolsajeon)	May 11~30, 2023. May 18 National Cemetery