5·18 Democracy Plaza | Attraction Guide | K-Travel Mate

5·18 Democracy Plaza refers to the fountain plaza in front of the National Asia Culture Center in Dong-gu, Gwangju광역시. It was named '5·18 Democracy Plaza' to commemorate the popular uprising that took place at the old Jeonnam Provincial Government Building plaza in May 1980 in Gwangju광역시. The plaza retains symbols such as the fountain, Sangmugwan, and clock tower from that time, and features the Bell of Democracy built in 2005, which is rung on the 5·18 Memorial Day and Liberation Day. The old building used as the Jeonnam Provincial Government Office was built in 1930 during the Japanese colonial period and has been restored as the National Asia Culture Center. It was designated a national registered cultural heritage site related to the 5·18 historic site in 1996. On May 14, 1980, students from Chonnam National University marched from the university to the provincial government plaza, joined by students from Chosun University and citizens, holding the National Democratic Assembly here, becoming a symbolic place of the Gwangju democratization movement. The assembly lasted for three days, during which a declaration on the political situation was announced and free speeches calling for democratization took place. Notably, on May 16, with police cooperation, a peaceful nighttime torch rally was held, marking the birth of the Gwangju democratization movement. After martial law troops withdrew on May 21, various rallies and citizen gatherings for democratic struggle were held here. Currently, the largest 5·18-related event, the vigil, is held here every year.