5·18 Memorial Park

In the middle of Gwangju's Sangmu district, sculptures of the citizens' militia and a memorial space sit among woodland paths. The park stands on the site of the former Sangmudae base, where citizens arrested during the May 1980 democracy uprising were court-martialled. It is a park rather than a cemetery, so you can take in the meaning of 5·18 on an ordinary walk.

From army base to park

This land once belonged to Sangmudae, an army training complex. After the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, when citizens resisted martial-law troops, those arrested were tried at the Sangmudae military court and held in its stockade. When Sangmudae moved elsewhere, the government handed over the land, and the city created a park of about 208,000 m², which opened in 1998. Nearly half of it is woodland and green space.

During redevelopment, the old court and stockade buildings were moved and restored at 5·18 Freedom Park, also in the Sangmu district. Many visitors combine this park, the Freedom Park and the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu into a single pilgrimage route.

What to see

• Sculptures and memorial space: statues of armed citizens and townspeople stand beside a space dedicated to the victims. This is the symbolic heart of the park.
• Daedong Plaza: a wide plaza ringed by circular steps, with a sculpture and a round fountain at its centre that runs in summer. Daedong refers to the spirit of solidarity in May 1980, when residents shared food and protected one another.
• 5·18 Memorial Culture Center: a building with a conference hall, performance hall and archive, used for commemorations, concerts and exhibitions.
• Student memorial tower: a monument to the students who took part in the uprising.
• Owollu pavilion: a pavilion on the hill inside the park (some sources call it Owoldae). After dark it looks out over the lights of Sangmu and central Gwangju.
• Woodland paths and pond: trails circle the hill and there is a traditional-style pond, so the park is also where local residents exercise and relax.

Good to know

Mugaksa, a Buddhist temple in the middle of the city, sits right next to the park and is worth a look. Around 18 May each year, commemorations take place across Gwangju, and the park hosts memorial and community events. If the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery is where the victims rest, this park is where the memory of the uprising has been woven into everyday city life.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: the park is open all day, every day, and entry is free. Indoor facilities such as the Memorial Culture Center open according to their event schedules.
• Getting there: from Uncheon Station on Gwangju Metro Line 1, walk north for about 15 minutes. There is also a car park.
• Time needed: allow 60–90 minutes to walk slowly past the sculptures and memorial space, Daedong Plaza and the pavilion.
• Best time: May, with its anniversary events, gives the visit extra meaning; the fresh greenery of May and June and the autumn colours make the woodland paths a pleasure.
• Combine with: the restored court and stockade at 5·18 Freedom Park and the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery give a fuller picture of May 1980.
• Etiquette: keep your voice down in the memorial area and do not climb on the sculptures.