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Memory of the World- Republic of Korea

Human Rights Documentary Heritage 1980 Archives for the May 18th Democratic Uprising against Military Regime, in Gwangju, Republic of Korea

The events of May 1980 followed quickly upon the October 1979 assassination of President Park Chung-hee at the hands of the director of the KCIA (Korean Central Intelligence Agency), one of his closest colleagues. The unforeseen death of a dictator who had taken control of the country following a military coup was expected to usher in an era of democracy long hoped for by the people of Korea. Unfortunately, things unfolded differently. In the absence of authority, another military coup took place. Students and citizens from across the country were enraged by the situation and took to the streets in protest against the government. On May 18th, 1980 the people of Gwangju passionately protested against the nationwide imposition of martial law. The new military government responsible for the coup dispatched special force paratroopers to Gwangju in order to suppress a peaceful protest led by university students and citizens.

The records are divided into three types. First, there are documents produced by the government institutions that came to power after 1980. They include administrative documents of the central government as well as records of investigation and trial by military judicial institutes. These serve to demonstrate the nature of the government in and before 1980. All the documents recorded by public officials during and after the incident as well as situation reports and compensation-related documents showing the severity of the damage are included. Secondly, there are documents produced at the time of the May 18th Democratic Uprising (old statements, declarations, hand-written posters and reporters' notebooks) that reveal just how urgent and desperate the situation was. Particularly compelling are the photos by photographers and foreign correspondents that document the extent to which Gwangju was cut off from the outside world. Thirdly, there are documents produced by the National Assembly and Supreme Court aimed at restoring the reputation of the people and discovering the truth about the incidents that took place during the time of the military government following the May 18th Democratic Uprising.

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