At the Namgwangju subway station the LED monitor showed
a figure of a train signaling its arrival. This unique train is creatively
designed to commemorate the May 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising or
popularly known in Korea as 518. Last May 6, 2008 The May 18 Memorial
Foundation, in cooperation with the GwangjuMetropolitan Rapid Transit
Corporation, launched this special train to kick-off the start of the
month-long celebration of Gwangju’s most revered occasion.
First Stop: This stop is Sangmu Station
At the Sangmu People’s Park a gun shot marked the go
signal for runners to the 5.18 km Marathon. In its 8th year, the
5.18 Marathon is one of the most-awaited happenings of May 18
commemorative events. Over 10,000 participated in the marathon last May
11, 2008 sponsored by Chonnam Maeil. This year’s winners for each division
were Mr. Yhobong Yoo (men’s division) and Ms. Yung Kyung Kim (women’s
division).
The conduct of a marathon entails solidarity work and
cooperation among individuals and groups. This also highlights the same
spirit for which May 18 is memorialized today. With gratitude to the
people and citizens of Gwangju for recognizing my work with the
underprivileged and outcasts of India, together, let us all run and carry
the torch of May 18 shining to commemorate the spirit of human rights,
peace and democracy, was the solidarity message relayed to the organizers
by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of India, 2007 awardee of the Gwangju Prize for
Human Rights.
Second Stop: This stop is Incheon Station
Landmarks in this area include the 518 Park where the
518 Memorial Culture Hall is located, the venue of the 2008 Gwangju
International Peace Forum (GIPF). The forum that was held from 15-18 May
was participated in by different civil society groups in Asia. Several
small fora were conducted simultaneously addressing issues on housing
rights, provision for local ordinance on human rights, and peace issues in
Asia. According to Mr. Chanho Kim, Director of the Culture and Solidarity
Team, this year’s forum will be a dry-run for the upcoming 30th
Anniversary of May 18 where the foundation is planning to host a similar
World Social Forum that will deal on human rights, peace and democracy in
Asia.
When asked about the significance of winning the 2008 Gwangju Prize for
Human Rights, Mr. Muneer Malik said Personally, for me it will be one of
my most cherished achievements. The Gwangju Prize links the historic
events of May 18th 1980 to democratic movements around the world. It
serves at least two purposes. First, it reminds other democratic movements
of the sacrifices of the citizens of Gwangju and second, it encourages
other movements to emulate them. Peace, democracy and human rights are
indivisible concepts and the benefits are shared by the entire humanity.
The Prize demonstrates that the people of Gwangju deeply care about
democratic movements around the world. Mr. Malik, the former president of
Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan was conferred the 2008 Gwangju
Prize last 18 May 2008. This is one of the highlights of the annual 518
commemorative events.
The May 18 Memorial Park was the site of the Nanjang-Human-Free
Concert. It highlighted on the issue of discrimination among irregular
workers. Music concerts and stage plays were performed by various artists
to raise people’s awareness about the plight and struggles of these
workers. Noripae Sinmyeong is a theater group that promotes and supports
the reinstatement of women workers removed from their job at the Gwangju
City Hall. Mirror installation arts were exhibited at the Reception Hall
of the 518 Memorial Culture Hall entitled “May Walk Exhibition: Beyond
Discrimination,” a visual feast against discrimination.
Third Stop: This stop is Geumnamno Station
Geumnamno is the road where lives were offered and sacrificed for
democracy. So it is but fitting to celebrate May 18 activities in this
busy road.
Every 17th of May is the annual eve event where people
gather to re-enact May 1980. Various organizations participated in the
parade. A float bearing an effigy of a cow symbolic of the current
government’s policy on (Free Trade Agreement) FTA was pelted with water
balloons by the public. The program featured youth speakers with their
emotional and politically charged diatribes against this government’s
policy in English education, FTA and other controversial projects. Unlike
last year’s program that showcased traditional performances, this year rap
and pop music as well as modern dances were the highlight. Participants of
the 2008 GIPF came to witness this memorable event.
Historic Geumnamno, this road also leads to Mangwaldong
and the 518 National Cemetery where heroes and patriots are laid to rest.
May 18 in Mangwaldong is like the Christian world celebration of the All
Soul’s Day, where they flock to the cemetery to offer flowers, food,
prayers, and respect to their dearly departed.
On May 18, President Lee Myungbak came to grace the
memorial ceremony, a tradition that his predecessors had practiced since
1995 when 518 was recognized and restored into its proper glory in Korea’s
democratization history. But unlike past presidents, President Lee
Myungbak speech was terse, admonishing the country to put behind the past,
overcome regionalism and moved and learn from the past to bolster economic
development. He also pledged his support to promote Gwangju as the
democracy and culture hub in Asia. Although the 2008 GIPF participants
were privileged to pay their respect to heroes of 518, the cemetery was
inaccessible to most during the program. So after the ceremony, Gwangju
citizens and other groups with their banners and flags came to show their
respect when the cemetery was freed from thousand of police and security
forces.
We are
the May shouts the youth as they celebrate Red Festa. A festival catered
for the youth so they may always remember the significance of 518. Booths
of different kinds, exhibits, bazaars, mini concerts and other fun and
entertaining activities turned Geumnamno into a festive street celebrating
the lives of May 18 patriots. The youth today enjoy the fruit of freedom
from the heroes who fought against military rule. Youth volunteers from
different schools were mobilized to put up exhibits and booths to inform
and remind the spirit of 518 to their peers and the public in general.
Now in its second year, the Gwangju Metropolitan Rapid
Transit Corporation will run this special train with the 518 theme until
July 7th 2008. The train runs the main thoroughfare of Gwangju and
traverses the significant places of those fateful days of May 1980. It is
an underground testimony to democracy, like the 518 heroes who are buried
and resting in peace. Their ideals will always be remembered and paid
respect to by the citizens of Gwangju ,Korea and even by the international
community. This subway train is everybody’s ride since it is everybody’s
longing to journey and reach that destination where there is respect for
human rights, a culture of peace and sustainable democracy.
