The staff of the 5·18 Memorial Foundation
- We will strive to realize the civic community that existed during the 5·18 Democratization Movement.
- We will continue to pass on the spirit and values of 5·18 to the youth through living history education.
- We will take the lead in promoting 5·18 by supporting human rights and peace movements worldwide.
- We will practice the 5·18 spirit of equality and sharing by standing in solidarity with marginalized minorities.
- We will continue to uncover the truth through investigations, data collection, research, and publications.
- To achieve this, we will conduct various academic, research, educational, international, cultural, and solidarity projects.
- We will strive to realize the civic community that existed during the 5·18 Democratization Movement.
- We will continue to pass on the spirit and values of 5·18 to the youth through living history education.
- We will take the lead in promoting 5·18 by supporting human rights and peace movements worldwide.
- We will practice the 5·18 spirit of equality and sharing by standing in solidarity with marginalized minorities.
- We will continue to uncover the truth through investigations, data collection, research, and publications.
- To achieve this, we will conduct various academic, research, educational, international, cultural, and solidarity projects.
The 5·18 Memorial Foundation has been striving to inherit and develop the spirit of 5·18 towards democracy and peaceful reunification.
The foundation has rallied all its efforts to establish 5·18 as a national memorial day and secured state compensation for the victims. Additionally, in solidarity with domestic and international democratization organizations, it has engaged in practical and institutional struggles for "5·18 truth-finding and accountability." Notably, the foundation led a nationwide signature campaign for the enactment of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, which resulted in the enactment of the "Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement" (1995). Subsequently, state rebels such as Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were brought to court and criminally punished for "rebellion and murder for the purpose of rebellion." Through these efforts, the foundation has corrected the identity of the May 18 Democratization Movement from being dismissed as "rioters' rampage" to being officially recognized by the state as a symbol of the Korean democratization movement.
The foundation has furthered the significance of the 5·18 spirit through organizing and supporting commemorative events, forums, research, educational, and cultural projects both domestically and internationally.
Internally, it has opened meeting places for youth and citizens to continuously educate them on democratic values and human rights, allowing them to experience the importance of democracy. It has also held events such as the 5·18 Youth Debate Competition and the 5·18 Youth Theater Festival.
Externally, it has formed an international democratic network and held annual "Peace and Human Rights Forums" to reaffirm and strengthen the resolve for democracy. By establishing and awarding the "Gwangju Human Rights Award," the foundation shares the passion for democratization with leaders and organizations of democratization movements in Asia, South America, and other regions, thereby expanding the international outreach of 5·18. The foundation is now elevating 5·18 from being a unique event to Gwangju and Korea to becoming a global symbol of democracy.
However, there are still many challenges. The "truth-finding" regarding 5·18 remains unresolved. The critical question of who ordered the killing of innocent students and citizens demanding democracy has not been answered. Retrogressive actions that deny, distort, and devalue the democratic values of 5·18 continue to surface.
Some media outlets' collusion and inhumane complicity further exacerbate the situation. Moreover, over time, public perception of May has changed. While some claim that 5·18 must never be forgotten, there is a noticeable trend of "distancing from 5·18."
How the foundation addresses and overcomes these challenges is directly linked to the success and survival of the foundation, which started to establish and maintain the identity of 5·18. Therefore, the foundation reflects on the past and prepares for the future with a heightened awareness to overcome these difficulties and firmly establish a "robust May" based on the spirit of democracy.
The foundation has rallied all its efforts to establish 5·18 as a national memorial day and secured state compensation for the victims. Additionally, in solidarity with domestic and international democratization organizations, it has engaged in practical and institutional struggles for "5·18 truth-finding and accountability." Notably, the foundation led a nationwide signature campaign for the enactment of the Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, which resulted in the enactment of the "Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement" (1995). Subsequently, state rebels such as Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were brought to court and criminally punished for "rebellion and murder for the purpose of rebellion." Through these efforts, the foundation has corrected the identity of the May 18 Democratization Movement from being dismissed as "rioters' rampage" to being officially recognized by the state as a symbol of the Korean democratization movement.
The foundation has furthered the significance of the 5·18 spirit through organizing and supporting commemorative events, forums, research, educational, and cultural projects both domestically and internationally.
Internally, it has opened meeting places for youth and citizens to continuously educate them on democratic values and human rights, allowing them to experience the importance of democracy. It has also held events such as the 5·18 Youth Debate Competition and the 5·18 Youth Theater Festival.
Externally, it has formed an international democratic network and held annual "Peace and Human Rights Forums" to reaffirm and strengthen the resolve for democracy. By establishing and awarding the "Gwangju Human Rights Award," the foundation shares the passion for democratization with leaders and organizations of democratization movements in Asia, South America, and other regions, thereby expanding the international outreach of 5·18. The foundation is now elevating 5·18 from being a unique event to Gwangju and Korea to becoming a global symbol of democracy.
However, there are still many challenges. The "truth-finding" regarding 5·18 remains unresolved. The critical question of who ordered the killing of innocent students and citizens demanding democracy has not been answered. Retrogressive actions that deny, distort, and devalue the democratic values of 5·18 continue to surface.
Some media outlets' collusion and inhumane complicity further exacerbate the situation. Moreover, over time, public perception of May has changed. While some claim that 5·18 must never be forgotten, there is a noticeable trend of "distancing from 5·18."
How the foundation addresses and overcomes these challenges is directly linked to the success and survival of the foundation, which started to establish and maintain the identity of 5·18. Therefore, the foundation reflects on the past and prepares for the future with a heightened awareness to overcome these difficulties and firmly establish a "robust May" based on the spirit of democracy.