5.18 Memorial Park
One thing that may come across your mind when thinking of ‘Gwangju’
may be the 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.
I wish to introduce 5.18 Memorial Park,
which is a historical field where the democracy in the 1980s bloomed,
and a resting area for citizens formed to properly succeed and honor the lessons of 5.18.
01 ｜Visit
5.18 Memorial Park is largely composed of
a 5.18 Memorial Cultural Hall, which is equipped with performance and event facilities,
a 5.18 sculptures and commemoration and sublimation area composed of citizen militia sculptures and a commemorative space,
Daedong Square, which symbolically expresses the 5.18 spirit,
5.18 Democratization Movement Student Monument, Gwangju Students’ Education and Cultural Center,
Oweoldae, which is a three story tower functioning as an observatory,
Mugaksa Temple, pond, traditional pavilion, grass square, and walking path.
You can see all of the listed when walking by the walking path,
and I will introduce in the order listed in the information map!
*Because several entrances entering the 5.18 Memorial Park are open, you do not necessarily have to follow this order*
1. 5·18 Memorial Cultural Hall
The first place I visited was the 5.18 Memorial Cultural Hall.
The 5.18 Memorial Cultural Hall is a place performing the function as a human rights center and education venue for the 5.18 spirit
and promoting the succession and development of the noble spirit.
There is no noticeable place when entering the interior.
When I asked an employee, the employee responded that this place is mostly used as a performance hall!
When going down one floor from the first floor, where the entrance is located, there is a data room for the 5.18 Democratization Movement,
however, these records have been registered as the UNESCO Memory of the World,
thus, will be transferred to the “5.18 Records Center” (former Gwangju Catholic Center), so please take notice~
*Address of 5·18 Records Center: 221 Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju*
With resentment, I looked around the first floor and could see a mural illustrating the situation at the time of the 5.18
and a miniature that reproduced
the image of the square in front of Gwangju Provincial Government, which was the site of the actual massacre.
I was moved by the picture realistically illustrating the scene.
(Source: Gwangju 5.18 Memorial Cultural Hall)
2. Daedong Square & Commemoration and Sublimation Space
When coming out of the Memorial Cultural Hall, you can directly head towards Daedong Square.
Daedong Square is an access place towards the Memorial Park and commemoration space,
which is a place expressing the spirit of great unity where people joined in one mass by exceeding social ranks.
The key design elements of the square show a united form towards the central pivot,
and the fountain located in the center is said to symbolically express
the image of sublimation, succession, and development of the 5.18 spirit.
The central sculpture in the middle of the fountain indicates
the image of a hand lifting the 5.18 victims
by the projection as a fire where the 5.18 spirit flares
while the power of the people soar from the ground towards the sky.
(Source: Gwangju 5.18 Memorial Cultural Hall)
The circular square connected with Daedong Square in the middle is the space for commemoration and sublimation,
where the work projecting the noble spirit of the 5.18 Democratization Movement as “light”
is noticeable, as it forms a taegeuk (yin-yang) shape when seen from above.
Did you know the fact that there is meaning in each one of the sculptures within the commemoration and sublimation space?
I will introduce each of the eight sculptures !
The sculptures are divided into ground sculptures and underground sculptures.
First, we will examine the four ground sculptures.
1. Jegi
First is that is in front of the figure statute.
2. Figure Statute
This is said to have the meaning in paying respects
by commemorating the history of sadness and suffering of the 5.18!
When entering 5.18 Memorial Park,
this large-sized sculpture attracts our attention first,
which is an expression of the courage and love of the people of Gwangju,
that carries the destiny of the nation and people.
It seems as if the statue projected the image of igniting the will to fight
while aiding a falling colleague.
3. kwanbuso
Behind the figure statue, the place leading down to the underground
is in a kwanbuso form.
This shows the image in which a buried coffin soars upwards,
expressing power and courage.
4. Stainless Sculpture
Lastly, the stainless sculpture erected behind the kwanbuso
expresses hope and joy towards tomorrow, as a restored light,
which is composed of 847 rods.
When entering inside the kwanbuso,
you can see the underground sculptures.
5. Underground Figure Statue
This is an image of a mother painfully crying while holding a dead child.
This statue expressed the huge and infinite love of a mother
in the form of salvation.
6. Torch
This contains the meaning of
protecting souls with a non-extinguishing torch
and declaring the freedom and righteousness formed by the souls.
7. Buzo
This is a sculpture symbolically expressing
the image of the situation and site on that day.
The military boots standing in line nearby the fountain of the square in front of Gwangju Provincial Government…
They seem to indicate democracy that was gruesomely trampled by the military boots.
8. List of People Related to 5·18
The list of people concerned that participated in the 5.18 Democratization Movement in 1980
has been engraved for commemoration.
4. Grass Park
When coming up from the underground and going a little towards the right, a grass park appears!
Many people were outside
taking a walk or setting up a tent at the grass park during my visit!
This place is always open for free,
so you may want to enjoy a light outing with family or friends~
You can also see the Gwangju Students’ Movement Memorial Monument inside the grass park.
This work projected the theme of “See the Sky in order to succeed and commemorate the noble spirit of elementary, middle school, and high school students sacrificed in 1980.
The school name and name of students related to the 5.18 Democratization Movement, pictures, daily logs, and list of testimonies relating to the 5.18 Democratization Movement is engraved behind the monument.
5. Gwangju Students’ Education and Cultural Center
The Gwangju Students’ Education and Cultural Center can be found inside the grass park.
This is a comprehensive welfare center for the youth, which is equipped with a reading room, performance center, and physical training facilities~
This place also provides a free reading room and free library, which is frequently used by Gwangju citizens as well.
This place is managed and operated by Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education,
Thus,please refer to the website of the Office of Education for details!
Since we examined both the Square and Monument,
let's now walk along the walking path!
The 5.18 Memorial Park is located in the middle of the city,
however, contains dense trees, thus, feels as if it is separated from the city.
In addition, this place has outstanding accessibility and an excellent walking path,
thus, is frequently and regularly used by Gwangju citizens.
6. Circular Square
When walking along the walking path, you can see the circular square.
Because grass is spread all over the square, you can lightly exercise with your children~
There are also sports equipment inside the circular square, so wouldn’t it be nice to use the equipment as well?
7. Mugak Temple
One temple is located right next to the circular square, which is called as Mugak Temple.
Mugak Temple was built for soldiers that believed in Buddhism among the military personnel working for the Sangmudae (a type of military school) in 1972,
however, as Sangmudae transferred out, the temple was incorporated into Songgwang Temple, and remained as a traditional temple afterwards.
The roaster book café and Buddhism bookstore located inside Mugak Temple and Sarangchae, which is a traditional tea house decorated inside a well-built hanok (traditional Korean-style house)
provides a feel of cleanly washing out the suppression and framed cast during the period.
When entering Mugak Temple, ‘Saranchae,’
which is a peaceful traditional tea house, is the first thing that comes into view.
The Buddhist monks directly operate and manage Saranchae~
The open hours are from 11:00am to 9:00pm,
and Sundays are closed, so please take these hours into account!
On the other side of Sarangchae, there is ‘Lotus Cultural Center,’ which has galleries and book cafes.
On the day I visited, the was on exhibition.
I could see beautiful artworks when going inside,
and could use the book café that was attached to the gallery.
*The gallery and book café can all be used for free!*
On the second and third floor of the Cultural Center,
a space allowing to experience tea manners and temple stay and
pretty cafes looking down at 5.18 Memorial Park in one sight are available.
Now, when passing the gate of non-duality enshrining the four guardian statues
you can see the main hall of Mugak Temple.
However, this place is currently under repair and maintenance.
Repair and maintenance will be performed by demolishing the existing temple
and forming royal palaces such as the hall of paradise, hall of Guanyin, and main temple in the size of 108 pyeong,
and the Buddha Triad including Buddha Sakyamuni is planned to be enshrined in the main hall.
I really must visit this place again!
In the front yard of the main hall, there is the Bulil Bookstore, which sells Buddhist supplies and Buddhist books,
a reception desk for roof tiles for the repair and maintenance, and a bell.
The bell is tolled during the Buddhist service every evening, so please keep this into account~
Please refer to the Mugak Temple website for matters relating to the various events!
Website of Mugak Temple -> http://mugaksa.com/
8. Oweolru
After looking around Mugak Temple and walking along the walking path again,
I could see Oweolru on the back side of Mugak Temple!
Oweolru is formed of a total of three stories,
which functions as an observatory built on the top of the 5.18 Memorial Park
to honor the noble will of freedom, democracy, and human rights
while commemorating the souls sacrificed during the 5.18 Democratization Movement.
I could see the Sangmudae area in one sight at the top of Oweolru ~
9. Danggun Shrine
There is Danggun Shrine next to Oweolru in the information map, so shall we head towards it?
This stairs can be seen when going up along the walking path from Oweolru.
Is.. this the Danggun Shrine?
This seemed to be a staircase that did not end no matter how high I climbed!
When I finally climbed to the top, yes, I could see Danggun Shrine!
Danggun Shrine is a shrine built inside the 5.18 Memorial Park
to honor and follow the will of Dangun, who is the mythical founder of the nation, within Sangmudae.
Danggun Shrine is open from 9:00am to 12:00pm every 3rd of each month,
so please take this into account.
And one additional fact!
After coming down the walking path at the immediate side of Oweolru, I walked up Danggun Shrine by the stairs,
however, if you do not go down the walking path but follow the path on the side,
you can see Danggun Shrine without having to laboriously climbing the stairs like me…
10. Daeseongjeon Shrine
When walking about 15 minute from Danggun Shrine, I thought I would be able to see Daeseongjeong Shrine,
however, I could not enter the shrine because the entrance of Daeseongjeong Shrine is currently closed.
Daeseongjeon Shrine is a shrine enshrining the memorial tablet of Confucius.
It would be a good idea for those who would like to visit to check in advance~
11. Gyeryujeong Pavilion
Let’s continue to walk along the walking path from Daeseongjeon Temple.
You can see everything by walking along the walking path of 5.18 Memorial Park~
After walking for a while, you can see a small pavilion, which is called as Gyeryujeong Pavilion.
This is a pond formed by considering the natural mountain stream landscape,
to have the meaning of re-organizing the existing pavilion and pond.
However, the water is not filled in the pond,
maybe because the weather is not warm yet~
12. Palgakjeong Pavilion
While walking along, I could finally see the end of the walking path!
When reaching the end of the walking path (based on my standard), I could see Palgakjeong Pavilion~
The elegant image is stylish, by following the traditional architectural style of Korea
13. Pond
There is a pond on the other side of Palgakjeong Pavilion.
I felt that my body and soul were healed by viewing the pond while sitting at Palgakjeong Pavilion!
This pond was made based on the traditional Namdo garden style during the Joseon era,
and was formed based on the traditional landscape elements
A beautiful landscape that can only appear in historical dramas can be seen.
The walking path in the 5.18 Memorial Park is 2km long~
however, taking one round around the course I used
is approximately 3km, so please take this into account~
I think it took me quite some time to take one round
to view and try this and that.
A vacation area within the city!
How would you like a trip to the 5.18 Memorial Park?
02 ｜Information
Because there are many entrances you can use to enter the 5.18 Memorial Park,
you will not have huge difficulty in finding an entrance.
However, please take note that most people use this pedestrian overpass connecting the Sangmudae area and the park.
The pedestrian overpass is located next to the Emart building, so please take notice!
Regarding restrooms inside the 5.18 Memorial Park,
there are two restrooms in total:
one in the walking path before going to Mugak Temple and
one in the walking path before going to the commemoration and sublimation space.
There are drinking fountains in a number of places in the walking path.
You can drink the water safely, so do not worry~!
There are many crossroads when walking along the walking path.
There is a signpost in every corner, so please walk along by checking the signposts.
Because the walking paths are divided into several paths,
you may end up in a place you do not want to visit if you ignore the signposts.
· Address : Chipyung Wolgotdong 1268, Seo-gu, Gwangju, Korea
· Telephone : +82-62-360-0518
· Toilets : O
· Assessment : This is a place allowing you to meditate over the spirit of the 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Movement
along with a beautiful walking path surrounded by trees and flowers!
03｜How to get there
03｜How to get there
When you leave the train in front of City Hall is
01, 16, 25, 38, 45, 50 and 1000 bus,
Memorial is, if you would get off infront of the Cultural Center
46, 62, 63, 64, May 18 You can take a bus.
When you leave the train in front of center
Because they can get off in front of the Memorial Cultural Centre
There is no great difficulty finding the entrance.
45, 50 times by bus
If you park in front of (E-Mart)
You will have to cross into the land bridges.
In fact the entrance to May 18 Memorial Park is because there are many, really
You can go at any one place where she doesn't matter or she's getting off bus
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