<#293 Student Column>

 To commemorate the upcoming 30th anniversary of the May 18th Democratic Uprising and remind CNUians the significance of it, Chonnam Tribune heard the opinions of Korean and foreign students on the meaning of the May 18th -Ed.

▲ Students were opposed by the troops at the gate of Chonnam National University on the morning of May 18th
<Korean Student>


Please Remember 5•18


By Kim Na-yeon, Guest Reporter


 As I am studying in Seoul, from time to time I notice some things about how people in our capital feel about Gwangju. Here is one example. In one of my classes, a professor told us an anecdote. “One day I happened to say ‘광주 사태’ (the state of Gwangju) unconsciously. And a student pointed out that word with anger. Only then could I realize that I had made a slip of the tongue.” After I heard her story, I was very shocked; it was the first time that I realized that there are some people who still use that word. As I had grown up in Gwangju, I could not have imagined such a thing. I also felt bitter because I realized that quite a large number of people must have been taught that way for a long time and there might be many other young people who have been affected by them. As not merely a Gwangjuite but a citizen who believes in democracy, I felt I had to inform them about what truly happened those 30 years ago.


 However, how much do I know about the May 18th Democratic Uprising? When I asked myself, I was embarrassed. I did not even know the exact reason why we should not use the word ‘the state of affairs’. I just recognized it is a negative word. Furthermore, I have not thought about that kind of people participated in the uprising and how many people died. Lastly, I did not have any interest in the assignments that have remained after ‘the May 18th Democratic Uprising’. Definitely I felt ashamed of my ignorance and felt guilty towards the people who were willing to die for democracy.


 Therefore I searched for more information about ‘5•18’ and learned a few things that I should have known. Above all, ‘the state of affairs’ just indicates something that was unexplained. As we all know the people who led 5•18 fought for democracy against dictatorship, we must not call this “the state of affairs”. Moreover the democratic activists were really diverse - delivery people from Chinese restaurants, vagabonds,, day laborers, factory workers, prostitutes as well as students. I realized that I have often imagined passionate and educated people. I felt sorry and took pride in Gwangjuites as they stood together as one. Also the death toll was 154, 30 of those killed were under 18. The total number of human victims is around 4,312 in ten days. It was a massacre. Although it has been 30 years since it happened, the commander who gave the order to open fire and the site where the corpses were buried have still not been disclosed.

 As I looked at the photos of their struggles and saw the blood again, I could not hold back my tears. I was ashamed of having forgotten their sacrifice and the messages that they wanted to give us daring to die. Let’s remember their noble sacrifice and follow the great cause together.

<Foreign Students>


Realizing Our Role in History


By Rigoberto Banta Jr., Guest Reporter


 There are parts of the history of every people reserved for the selfless deeds of those who gave up more than what they can for the sake of many, some even sacrificing their lives to do so. As we go back to the history of any nation, we would know of the heroic deeds of notable men and women who stood up against the cruelty of those in power and set up the foundations of what we now call ‘nation’. As I paid a visit to the May 18th Democratic Uprising Memorial, I found myself almost in tears in what I realized South Koreans should be thankful for: the sacrifice of the lives of thousands of people for the sake of democracy led by students who brought with them the fire of nationalism in their hearts.

 Our school stands proud on its long history of selfless service to the country evidence to the long list of those who voluntarily went to the vanguard of the fight against the military oppression that eventually cost them their lives. We stand proud to nurture these then young people who realized their responsibilities to the nation through the education they attained at Chonnam National University (CNU). It is an overwhelming event to commemorate — these young fiery students brought by their passion for country and people braving even death itself.

 This year commemorates the 30th anniversary of the May 18th Democratic Uprising. Looking now at how far South Korea has come to be at the forefront of the world in the fight for democracy and human rights, I stand to think that those people — citizens, workers and students alike — did not die in vain. Their efforts paid off, reflected in the success that is South Korea. After 30 years, how has the flame been passed on, especially to the torchbearers, the citizens of Gwangju Metropolitan City, and CNU students?

 It makes me sad to see how history is valued even in the other parts of the world. History is not given enough value by its beneficiaries, the people of today. Gwangju citizens and CNUians stand proud of its contributions to South Korean democracy but what matters more is how we share with other people the lessons we learned from the forefathers, those who altruistically gave everything during the May 18th Democratic Uprising in 1980. This is the silent cry lingering in the walls of the memorial, the wish of a thousand people hoping for the next generation to continue the path that they had started to pave. In the age of advancements and technology we should stop and think of the responsibilities we have to the people of the past by paying it forward. May this May 18th be meaningful to everyone especially for us, CNU students!

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