Remembering May 18th Democratic Movement

Today -- May 18th -- is a deeply solemn anniversary for the people of Korea.
On this day in 1980,... 38 years ago,... many innocent civilians in the southwestern city of Gwangju who were demonstrating the authoritarian government of Chun Doo-hwan were killed by government troops charged with putting down the protests.
To remember the day and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle for democracy,... a memorial event is taking place in Gwangju as we speak.
Among those in attendance are lawmakers from a number of parties and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.
We'll hear more about today's ceremony in our later newscast,... but first our Ko Roon-hee takes a look back at the day of the uprising.
Thousands of people took to the streets on May 18th, 1980 in the southwestern Korean city of Gwangju.
This was after then-president Chun Doo-hwan seized power in a military coup and took suppressive measures... such as banning political activities and imposing martial law.
Protesters were beaten and fired upon by government troops during the military crackdown.
This left an unknown number of people dead and thousands more wounded.
Although the uprising was quelled on May 27th, 1980, a look back in history has proven that it was a victory, not a defeat… as it paved the way for later movements in the 1980s that eventually brought democracy to the country.
Last year, South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed to carry on its legacy…by reopening the probe into possible crimes that may have been committed by the troops.

"Demanding the truth of the May 18 Democratic Movement is not a political issue. It is about common sense and justice. It is also about protecting the value of democracy in South Korea."

Recently, a rare video capturing the scenes of the democratic movement was disclosed to the public.
A private collector notified the May 18 Archives of the video's existence in December last year, and the archives purchased it in March.
The new video shows soldiers implementing martial law and wounded citizens at local hospitals.
The footage will be screened at the archive until May 30th... to remind citizens of a pivotal moment in the country's modern history, that continues to provide inspiration for freedom and human rights.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.