5·18 Memorial Park | Attraction Guide | K-Travel Mate

5·18 Memorial Park was created to commemorate the May 18, 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement. When Sangmudae, a military facility at the time of the movement, was relocated, the government provided the park site. Accordingly, in 1998, Gwangju Metropolitan City established the 5·18 Memorial Park over an area of 208,000㎡ to honor the movement and to properly inherit and develop its valuable lessons. The park includes the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center with archives and performance/event facilities, the 5·18 status sculptures and memorial sublimation space consisting of the Citizens’ Army statue and memorial space, Daedong Square featuring a circular fountain symbolizing the spirit of 5·18, and the Student Memorial Tower of the 5·18 Democratization Movement. At the foot of Yeouisang, where the park is situated, is the Gwangju Student Education and Culture Center, and walking paths surround the mountain. At the summit, there is Oweoldae, a pavilion functioning as an observatory. Today, 5·18 Memorial Park serves not only as a place for citizens to commemorate the 5·18 Democratization Movement but also as a pleasant urban resting space. Approximately 45% of the total area, 92,099㎡, is green space with traditional ponds and diverse trees, widely used as a natural learning area for children.