자료 5.18 광주폭동 유네스코 문화재 등재 신청서

[역사학도]

MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
 Human Rights Documentary Heritage 1980
Archives for the May 18^th Democratic Uprising against Military Regime, in Gwangju
Republic of Korea

Ref N° 2010-26

PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION 

 1        SUMMARY

Documentary items related to the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, which took place in Gwangju, Korea between May 18^th and May 27^th, 1980, take the form of documents, photos, images, etc. regarding the citizens’ uprising, punishment of the perpetrators, and compensation. 

 
The events of May 1980 followed quickly upon the October 1979 assassination of President Jeong-hui Park at the hands of the director of the KCIA, one of his closest colleagues. The unforeseen death of a dictator who had taken control of the country following a military coup was expected to usher in an era of democracy long hoped-for by the people of Korea. Unfortunately, things unfolded differently. In the absence of authority, another military coup took place. Students and citizens from across the country were enraged by the situation and took to the streets in protest against the government. On May 18^th, 1980 the people of Gwangju passionately protested against the nationwide imposition of martial law. The new military government responsible for the coup dispatched special force paratroopers to Gwangju in order to suppress a peaceful protest led by university students and citizens. 
 

The paratroopers brutally and randomly assaulted men and women, old and young, regardless of whether or not they possessed sticks. Such attacks aggravated the situation further, and more and more people joined the demonstrations. On day five of the protest, May 21^st, 1980, soldiers opened fire on citizens leaving hundreds of people injured or dead before being driven by massive resistance to a position outside the city. Gwangju was isolated from the rest of the country, surrounded by soldiers who allowed no vehicles or communication from outside until the troops re-entered the city on May 27^th, 1980. Despite the blockade, people continued their ordinary lives, living as an autonomous community, cleaning the city, opening stores and shops, etc. Amazingly, not a single case of robbery or burglary was reported despite having no proper administration or security force. However, in the early morning of May 27^th the community was brutally ransacked by paratroopers using tanks and helicopters. During 10 days of resistance, 165 citizens died in and around Gwangju. 76 people went missing, 3,383 were injured, and 1,476 were arrested, affecting 5,100 in total. In addition, 102 people later died due to injuries incurred during the siege. Survivors were far from unscathed with many reporting mental health problems such as auditory hallucinations, somnambulism, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, etc. Incidences of divorce and suicide were uncommonly high among survivors, suggesting that the physical and emotional trauma left an indelible mark on those who experienced events first-hand. 
 

For years after the traumatic violence of May 1980, the new military government forced people to remain silent. However, the anguished cries of families who lost loved ones triggered a grassroots democratic struggle that resulted in the reinstatement of direct presidential elections in 1987. For nearly a decade the events of May 1980 were known as the 'Gwangju Riot' on account of a widely circulated falsehood that the citizens’ uprising had been instigated by violent mobs. In 1989 the misnomer was finally corrected, and the Gwangju Riot was officially renamed 'the May 18^th Democratic Uprising'. In 1997, during the presidency of Young-sam Kim, May 18^th was designated as a national holiday. The following year, participants of the uprising who had been sentenced to severe punishment for rebellion were formally exonerated. In 1990, through the “Act on Compensation for Victims of the May 18th Democratic Uprising,” citizens began to receive compensation for their losses, and legal action was initiated against two former leaders of the military as well as senior staff responsible for the incident. (Sentencing by the Supreme Court occurred in April of 1997). In 2002 the cemetery used during the May 18^th Democratic Uprising became a national cemetery and victims became eligible to receive benefits as “people of national merit.” Although there are many unresolved issues surrounding the events that took place in Gwangju during the citizens’ uprising, the processes of healing and reconciliation are well underway. In the years that have passed since the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, Gwangju has steadily restored its reputation, which had been seen by some as anti-establishment, rather than pro-democracy. 

 
Documentary items related to the May 18^th Democratic Uprising are divided into three types. Firstly, there are documents produced by government institutions which came to power after 1980. These include administrative documents of the central government, operational documents of the military, and records of investigation and trial by military judicial institutions that demonstrate the oppressive nature of the government in and before 1980. All relevant documents recorded by public officials during and after the incident and compensation-related documents are included. Secondly, there are documents produced by various groups and individuals before and after the May 18^th Democratic Uprising (e.g.: statements, declarations, hand-written posters, etc.) that reveal the urgency and desperation of the situation. In particular, photos and footage by photographers and foreign correspondents shocked the public with vivid depictions of the brutality of the military response. Thirdly, there are documents produced by individuals and civil society organizations aimed at uncovering the truth about the incident under the military government after the May 18^th Democratic Uprising as well as appeals for the release of those wrongfully imprisoned by authorities. 
 
These documentary items related to the May 18^th Democratic Uprising demonstrate the extent of the state power’s violation of the people’s dignity and human rights. 
 
In retrospect, one cannot fail to be impressed by the people of Gwangju who struggled against the military regime to protect their families and achieve democratic freedom for all citizens. Today theirs is a message of love and hope to people all over the world who crave democratization in the face of human rights abuses under dictatorial governments. Many scholars regard the May 18^th Democratic Uprising as one of the best examples of transitional justice. Indeed, Korean society has labored to achieve the five major principles of “fact-finding,” “punishment of perpetrators,” “restoration of reputation,” “compensation” and “memorial programs”. Registration of the documentary items related to the May 18th Democratic Uprising under the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme will bring recognition and validation to the people's courageous stand against the repressive military government of the time. Awareness of this heroic struggle can be transmitted across the world and become a vital part of human rights education by bringing to mind the universal values of human rights, democracy, and rule of law.


Thus far 51 source books referring to the May 18th Democratic Uprising (approximately 40,000 pages) have been published by Gwangju City Government that have continuously collected and refined public and suppressed information. To facilitate the convenient use of these references they have been compiled on a single DVD with the appropriate indexes. The references are distributing to major libraries and institutes of Korean studies the world over as well as to all libraries in Korea with the aim of promoting new studies and awareness of the Uprising. Publication of the references is ongoing and will be executed with greater efficiency once the documents have been registered on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

 
2        DETAILS OF THE NOMINATORS 

2. 1    Individuals & Organizations 
 

Nomination Committee for the May 18^th Democratic Uprising Documents to the UNESCO Memory of the World

-       Young-jin Kim /Chairperson/ National Assembly Member

-       Soon-il Ahn / Superintendent, Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education

-       Yoon Soo Kim / President, Chonnam National University

-       Ho-jong Jeon / President, Chosun University

-       Hyuk Jong Kim / President, Gwangju University

-       Kwang-jang Yoon / President, May 18 Memorial Foundation

-       Soo-man Chung / President, Democratic Association for Honorable Persons and Victims'       Families

-       Hee-seung Yang / President, May 18^th Association for Detainees and Casualties

-       Kyung-jin Shin / President, Association for the Wounded from May 18 Democratization Movement

-       Sung-ryea Ahn / Director, May Mothers’ House

 

Archive Center:

-       Kwang-tae Park/ Mayor, Gwangju Metropolitan City (http://518center.gjcity.net)

-       Yoon Soo Kim / President, Chonnam National University (http://altair.chonnam.ac.kr/~cnu518)

-       Kwang-jang Yoon / President, May 18 Memorial Foundation (http://www.518.org)  

 
2. 2    Status of the Documentary Heritage Nominated

Original documents and copies of documents have been collected and preserved separately by 518 Archive of Gwangju City Hall, Archive of May 18 Memorial Foundation, and May 18^th Research Center of Chonnam National University. The individual applicants and applicant organizations all represent the spirit of the movement in some way. Therefore, despite many hardships, they have endeavored to keep the documents intact. In addition, several other state organizations have retained some of the relevant documents, as have private individuals and civic organizations. When registered, the various documents will be kept in one place, Archives of May 18^th Democratic Uprising, and will be properly managed in order to contribute to the human rights awareness and progress of humanity. 
 

2. 3    Contact Person

Dr. Jong-cheol Ahn, Director, Nomination Committee for the May 18^th Democratic Uprising Documents to the UNESCO Memory of the World 

 
2. 4    Contact Details

Address: Uncheon-ro 25, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea  

Phone: +82-62-376-6644

Fax: +82-62-376-6642

Email: 518unesco@hanmail.net 

  

3         IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE 

 
3.1.    Name and Identification Details 

    Documents of May 18^th Democratic Uprising 

 
 Documents of 1980

a)      Documents produced by State Organizations

     1) Documents created by Administrative Organizations

     2) Relevant Police Data

     3) Relevant Army Data

     4) Relevant data of the Military Court regarding May 18^th Court Martials 

  5) Relevant data of the Military Court Martial related to the “Conspiracy to Rebel” charge against Dae-jung Kim

     6) Relevant data from the United States of America

b)  Documents related to the Civil Resistance

     1) Primary documents (e.g.: leaflets, statements, and declarations)

     2) Eye-witness testimonies of victims and witnesses

     3) Documentary photographs and footage

   4) Newspaper articles

     5) Medical documents

c)  Belongings of the deceased

     1) Weapons and ordnance (bullets, knife fragments, shrapnel etc.) removed during autopsies   

   2) Clothes of the deceased, national flags, etc.

 
 Documents Related to the Truth and Reconciliation Process

a)  Documents created by Administrative Organizations

     1) Transcripts of the National Assembly

     2) Records of compensation for victims

     3) Investigation and criminal trial documents related to the perpetrators    

b)  Documents related to the Civil Resistance

     1) Public appeals for the Truth 

     2) Newspaper articles and journals 

     3) Memoires of witnesses and survivors 

   4) Research papers by scholars

     5) Works of art inspired by the events of May 18^th, 1980: Literature, Film, Music, Paintings  

 
 <Time Periodic Classification of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising >



3. 2.   Description

      Documents of 1980 
 

a)  Documents produced by State Organizations

These include the official documents and reports of the provincial and central governments (Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, City Hall, Provincial Office, Police Office, and Defense Security Command), court trial records (prosecutors' investigation records, court judgment records), National Assembly transcripts, and the annual statistics report of the city and province. Most of these documents are stored in the associated organizations' databases, the archives of the Government and Public Prosecutors' Office, and the Library of Gwangju City Hall. The May 18th Library of Gwangju City Hall in particular compiles documents produced by the administrative organizations. Some of the representative documents are examined below. 
 

     1)  Documents created by Administrative Organizations 

These documents were produced by central and local government institutions during the May 18^th Democratic Uprising. At the time, central government institutions sent instructions to local governments declaring martial law, asking for cooperation, and ordering the production of related documents. Documents produced by local governments such as Jeonnam Provincial Office, Gwangju City Hall, etc. consist of daily records of May 18^th, reports of damage, countermeasures, recovery status, burial plans and personal information relating to the dead and extensive compensation of victims by the Government. These are included in source book volumes 20, 21, 22 and 23. 

 
     2) Relevant Police Data

These documents were produced by police who arrested and imprisoned citizens and students during the May 18^th Democratic Uprising. Police arrested and indicted hundreds of citizens and students for violating the decree. Most were released without charge. Data includes instructions regarding decree violators, records of the acquittal of decree violators, records of decree violators and relevant procedures. These are included in source book volumes 26, 27, and 28. 

 
     3)  Relevant Army Data

These documents were produced by the military when they dispatched 20,000 highly-trained Special Forces paratroopers and infantry soldiers to forcibly suppress the Uprising. This suppression included the murdering of citizens and students. Data consists of the daily records of the martial law commander, army operations situation reports, daily records under martial law, situation reports by combat training command, detailed reports by Special Forces command, general daily reports, etc. These are kept in the archive at the Ministry of National Defense and History Compilation Chamber and copies were distributed to members of the National Assembly at a hearing in 1988. However, access to the general public was restricted. On some occasions documents were sent to members of the general public by members of the National Assembly. 

 
     4) Court Martial Data relevant to May 18^th Democratic Uprising

Martial law was declared in 1980, and those who violated the law were tried by the military. Hundreds of people imprisoned during and after the uprising were brutally tortured in subsequent investigations. Most were sentenced to death by the military prosecution or sentenced to life imprisonment by the Military Justice Department. Other ordinary citizens were released with a warning. Data consists of investigation reports by the military prosecution, investigations of non-indictment, records of suspension of indictment, records of military trials, etc. These extensive references are included in source book volumes 29 to 42. 
 

     5) Court Martial Data relevant to the “Conspiracy to Rebel” Charge against Dae-jung Kim

The new military government announced on May 21^st, 1980 that the Gwangju Massacre had been started by rebels in the Gwangju area under the leadership of Dong-nyeon Jeong and “Commie” Dae-jung Kim, who funded the riot and nurtured it into a public uprising. Dae-jung Kim was tried by the military for instigating the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, and on September 17^th, 1980 was sentenced to death for plotting the rebellion and attempting to overthrow the government. He was also found guilty and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on January 29^th, 1981. Due to the intervention of countries such as the United States of America, which urged the military government to suspend the death sentence, Dae-jung Kim was set free in 1982 and deported to the United States. The establishment of the Special Law Relating to the Gwangju Democratic Uprising (1995) helped restore Dae-jung Kim’s damaged reputation. Following his Presidential term in 2003, he applied for a retrial and was found not guilty in 2004. These references are included in source book volumes 48, 49 and 50. 
 

     6)  Relevant Data from the United States of America

The United States government was keenly interested in the May 18^th Democratic Uprising in South Korea, receiving frequently updated reports from the US Embassy in Seoul and discussing countermeasures. Data includes telegraphs between the US State Department and the US Embassy in Seoul as well as references produced by the Ministry of National Defense. They are included in source book volumes 6 to 10. 
 

b)  Documents related to the Civil Resistance

The civilians and civic society members who produced these documents were also victims of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising. These documents exposing the illegality and brutality of the military government were made available by journalists and others at great personal risk. Carrying and keeping such documents was considered an act of rebellion as the military government had branded participants of the Uprising as criminals. However, numerous brave individuals accepted that risk and collected and preserved the documents. Documents kept and managed by citizens were later donated to the Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall, the May 18 Memorial Foundation, and the Chonnam National University where they remain today.
 

     1)  Primary Documents (leaflets, statements, and declarations)

These are statements and declarations produced in extreme haste and distributed by citizens and students in order to inform Gwangju citizens and the general public about conditions during the Uprising. These documents, which include appeals to citizens, letters about rallies, newsletters by the resistance, and newsletters by democratic citizens, describe the exact conditions of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, making them invaluable permanent sources of information. They are included in source book volumes 1 and 2. 
 

     2)  Eye-Witness Testimonies by Victims and Witnesses

Testimonies were produced by survivors of the uprising and take the form of written words, recorded voices, and images. The collection consists of testimony from 1,500 people, including participants, observers, families of victims, etc. However, the number of victims exceeds 5,000 and testimony is still being collected. This work needs to be completed urgently because many are losing their memories due to age and the after-effects of the incident. These references are used not only for study but also for education. There is also testimony from foreign nationals (Henry Scott, Philip Pons, Mark Peterson, Arnold Peterson), US government personnel (Ambassador William Gleysteen, James Lilley, Donald Gregg, General John Wickam) and martial law military personnel. 
 

     3) Documentary Photographs and Footage

Most of the photographs were taken by photo journalists (Yonhap, DongA Ilbo and Jeonnam Ilbo) who risked their lives to document the scenes in vivid detail. Photos of people brutally murdered during the May 18^th Democratic Uprising enraged citizens and served as the catalyst for launching fact-finding missions. Documentary films depicted the scenes even more dramatically than the photographs. Footage of Gwangju in May 1980 filmed by Jurgen Hinzpeter from NDR, Germany and others from NHK, Japan was broadcast worldwide. These films were later imported and secretly televised, playing a major role in revealing the truth about the May 18^th Democratic Uprising. 
 

     4)  Newspaper Articles

 
During the May 18^th Democratic Uprising only announcements by martial law commanders were allowed be covered by newspapers, radio and TV. Therefore, much of the information about the May 18^th Democratic Uprising was distorted or fabricated. These references are kept in the archives of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall and the May 18 Memorial Foundation, as well as in newspaper archives and libraries. 

 
     5)  Medical Documents

These documents are records of injured citizens and students who were treated at nearby hospitals following acts of brutality and torture by armed soldiers and policemen. Those who were injured during the uprising were treated at Chonnam National University Hospital, Chosun University Hospital, Christian Hospital, and others. Those who were tortured or assaulted were mainly sent to the Armed Forces Combined Hospital. Daily records and records of treatment are kept in the archives of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall. They are included in source book volumes 23, 24 and 25. 
 

c)  Belongings of the deceased

One-hundred fifty-five people were killed during the May 18^th Democratic Uprising. Bullets found in corpses during autopsy examinations have been kept to this date. Dead bodies covered with national flags, transported in garbage trucks and buried in the cemetery in Mangwol-dong, were moved to the new cemetery in 1994. Clothes and flags were retrieved and have been preserved. 
 

     1)  Weapons and ordnance removed during autopsies  

     2)  Clothes of the deceased, blooded national flags, and others

 
Documents Related to the Truth and Reconciliation Process

 
Since the May 18^th Democratic Uprising there have been various requests for fact-finding tribunals and the punishment of perpetrators. Citizens made statements and declarations individually and in groups. These documents expose the injustice and illegality of the new military regime, which seized power by force through a military coup and suppressed the uprising. Protests took place nationwide and the illegality of the military government was explicitly revealed at ensuing hearings. Victims filed lawsuits and perpetrators were punished following their indictment by the prosecution and the judgment of the judiciary. Scholars, writers and artists vigorously created works of art to express the truth about the Uprising and to commemorate those who were martyred during the events of May 1980.

 
a)  Documents produced by Administrative Organizations

     1)  Transcripts from the National Assembly

In 1998 the Special Fact-finding Committee of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising was organized and a hearing was held. Documents related to the hearing are managed by the Secretariat of the National Assembly. The entire hearing was televised live at the time, allowing people to better understand the origins of the Uprising. Original footage is kept at TV stations and recorded films are kept at the May 18^th Archive of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall. The minutes of the National Assembly Special Committee meetings are included in source book volumes 3, 4 and 5. 
 

     2)  Records of Compensation for Victims

In 1990, after the National Assembly passed a law of “Act on Payment, etc. for Persons Related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising", the State Government and Gwangju City Government began to compensate for the victims. The objectives of the compensation were for the dead, the wounded and the detainees of all 5,100 victims. The quantity of records written by Gwangju City Hall is over 695,000 pages, in 3,880 volumes and preserved in the original style in the Gwangju City Hall Library. 
 

3) Investigation and criminal trial documents 

In 1994 at the Seoul District Prosecutor's Office, 322 victims of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising accused 35 people (including former Presidents and perpetrators, Doo-hwan Jeon and Tae-woo Roh) of being responsible for the massacre. When the prosecution dropped the charges, people took to the streets calling for the enactment of a special May 18^th law so that perpetrators could be punished. The Special May 18th Law was established on December 21st, 1995 and eight key military government personnel were indicted by the prosecution. Later dozens of generals in charge of the suppression were investigated and indicted by the prosecution, producing records of over 300,000 pages. Doo-hwan Jeon, Tae-woo Roh and senior personnel involved in the May 18^th Democratic Uprising were indicted at the Seoul District Court (August 26^th, 1996), Seoul Supreme Court (December 16^th, 1996), and the Republic of Korea Supreme Court (April 17^th, 1997). At the Supreme Court the final verdict indicated that the perpetrators instigated the coup and the rebellion, thus concluding the legal judgment of perpetrators. Data includes bills of indictment, results of investigations, arraignment notices, prosecutor's notes, letters of appeal, sentencing, statements of judgment, etc. They are included in source book volumes 43 to 47. 

 
b)  Documents related to the Civil Resistance

     1) Public appeals for the Truth

Since the May 18^th Democratic Uprising in 1980 various statements and declarations have been produced by citizens and civic groups in order to reveal the facts surrounding the uprising and punish the perpetrators. In particular, shortly after 1980, letters of appeal and declarations were intensively produced by the families of victims as well as the injured and imprisoned. In the late 1980s, university students and civic groups made statements and declarations in order to uncover the truth about the Uprising. Since 1995 statements have been intensively produced in order to punish the perpetrators. Attempts to collect such statements continue to date. They are included in source book volumes 1 and 2. 

 
     2)  Newspapers Articles and Journals

After the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, newspapers and magazines covered many stories. Among them were stories about the dead, secret burials, disappearances, organizations related to the Democratic Uprising, the actions of paratroopers, relations with the United States, the outbreak and development of the Uprising, political discussions, forums/seminars, criticism, etc. They are kept in the archives of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall and newspaper archives and libraries. References other than newspaper articles are included in source book volumes 11 to 19. 
 

     3) Memoires of witnesses and survivors  

After the end of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, a great many records of experiences and difficulties endured by participants and observers were produced. These include the “Kwangju Diary,” “The Kwangju Uprising,” and of particular note, the book titled “Beyond Death and Beyond the Age of Darkness”, which was published in 1985. The book includes stories of those who participated in the Uprising and had a great influence on fact-finding activities. As soon as these books were published, they were banned by the government. However, university students and ordinary citizens secretly kept copies of them. 
 

     4)  Research papers by scholars

Academic research into the May 18^th Democratic Uprising first began overseas. In 1987 American scholars brought up the issue at the Asian Academic Society in Boston. On April 30^th, 1989 the “9th Anniversary of the Academic Open Forum on May 18^th Democratic Uprising” was co-hosted by the Korean Modern History Research Center, at Chonnam National University. Since then, there have been 411 theses written by professors, scholars and graduate students. Among these are works by renowned scholars on human rights and democracy advocates such as Johan Galtung, Alain Touraine, Mark Peterson, George Katsiaficas, Holger Heide, and Henry Dietz. 
 

     5)  Works of Art inspired by the events of May 18^th, 1980: Literature, Film, Music, Paintings

Artists have expressed memories and impressions of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising through various cultural media in order to commemorate and better understand the incident. Many literary works on the Uprising such as novels, poems, etc. have been published. Likewise numerous plays, movies, songs, paintings and Pansori (traditional Korean narrative songs) on the theme of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising have been produced. These works of art were produced in order to tell people about the uprising and develop cultural awareness about the victims. Many examples are kept in the archives of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall. 

 

4        JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA

 
4. 1. Authenticity

 
Records of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising describe the counteraction of citizens and students against the oppression and slaughter of the military forces. These documents were produced while military forces were oppressing citizens and were recorded by people on the spot, which is meaningful and significant in terms of historical research. There are also records filmed by foreign journalists and other third parties that reveal the exact situation, time and place of the incident. 

Not only governmental organizations but also civic groups and citizens have volunteered to record and witness the events of the Uprising, which are indisputable, irreplaceable evidence within the history of democratic movements, human rights violations, and human rights movements. 
 

4. 2. Unique and Irreplaceable Heritage 

 
The May 18^th Democratic Uprising demonstrated the nobility of human life in the face of state violence that infringed upon people’s dignity and rights. Their resistance against the military government under continuous threats and oppression later became the catalyst for democracy. In the history of humanity, victors tend to eradicate the records of those defeated in failed revolutions and uprisings in order to justify their actions and fabricate the facts, but in the case of the Gwangju Massacre, events have been recorded by Gwangju citizens and foreigners alike. Therefore, this is a very unique development in democracy which cannot be found elsewhere. Citizens fought off Special Forces armed with up-to-date weapons for 10 days and governed themselves as a civic community without burglary or looting. This ultimately helped to develop democracy and ensure human rights in the Republic of Korea. 

 
The May 18^th Democratic Uprising was a major incident that encouraged people to struggle on a large scale by continuously demanding fact-finding missions and punishment of the perpetrators, even after resistance was quelled and the military government continued its oppression. This, in the end, led to the transition from a military government to a democratic one. In other words, these efforts became a catalyst for a series of democratic movements and the development of democracy in Korea. People learned that the military should not intervene in politics and Korea became an example for those still struggling to achieve democracy. 

 
4. 3.   World Significance

 
The May 18^th Democratic Uprising not only played a pivotal role in the democratization of South Korea but also affected other countries in East Asia by dissolving the Cold War structure and achieving democracy. After the 1980s various democratic movements took place in the Philippines, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and elsewhere in an attempt to follow in Korea’s footsteps. Wardah Hafidz, secretary general of the Urban Poor Consortium in Indonesia said, “Growth of human rights in Korea after the May 18^th Democratic Uprising is an example and a goal for human rights activity in Asia.” Furthermore, Dandeniya Gamage Jayanthi, leader of the Monument for the Disappeared in Sri Lanka said, “The May 18^th Democratic Uprising is a great source of inspiration in the human rights struggle. In particular, it helped to demolish conventional impunity omnipresent in East Asia.” 

 
Thus, the five major principles of ‘fact-finding, ‘punishment of perpetrators’, ‘restoration of honor’, ‘compensation’ and ‘memorial works’ have become an example and criteria used to determine the rules of compensation for human rights violations by the UN Human Rights Commission (special report by Theo van Boven, 1992).

Records of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, from the outbreak of the incident and its suppression to fact-finding activities and compensation, are remarkable in terms of their diversity and the variety of the contents. For instance, preserved films vividly portraying the incident are invaluable (and perhaps comparable to the voice tapes of the Philippines). Also preserved is the Supreme Court sentencing, which condemned the leader of the opposition party to death (which may be compared to the sentencing of Nelson Mandela in South Africa). Cases of human rights violations voluntarily examined and recorded by various human rights groups (similar to human rights documents collected from Argentina, Chile and Paraguay) are rich in their variety and content. These documents serve as textbook examples democracy and human rights development. 

 
Xanana Gusmao, president of East Timor said (2000), “Today people in the world unite and struggle with freedom, democracy, justice and peace. Gwangju and East Timor can work together to find a way to the future by sharing the struggle and sorrow in the past.” 

 
Basil Fernando, executive director of the Asian Human Rights Commission said(2001), “The Gwangju people’s struggle in 1980 and following struggles to advocate human rights and democracy and abolish dictatorship became a symbol of solidarity and are a source of inspiration to me.”

 
Many scholars and human rights activists around the world point out that the May 18^th Democratic Uprising was a turning point for democracy and human rights. Bruce Cummings, a professor at the University of Chicago said in a comment to the BBC (2005) that the May 18th Democratic Uprising helped South Korea escape dictatorship and America’s control. George Katsiaficas, a professor at the Wentworth Institute of Technology said in a seminar (2000) that the Gwangju democratic movement was a historic road from the dictatorship era to democracy, and the energy is spreading worldwide.  Edward Baker, consultant of the Harvard-Yenching Institute pointed out (2005) that the May 18th Democratic Uprising was a turning point at which Koreans changed their stance vis-a-vis dictatorship and America. 

 
In order to preserve this noble spirit, the Gwangju Human Rights Award is presented annually to those who contribute to human rights in Korea and abroad. It has been awarded in May every year since 2000, and 50 million won (48,000 USD) has been given to each of the twelve awardees (including Aung San Suu Kyi) for the development of democracy and human rights. In addition, the Gwangju International Peace Forum is held annually to discuss human rights and democracy in the region. In addition, every year the May 18 Memorial Foundation selects ten Korean volunteers and sends them to different organizations in Asia and America to share the past experiences of Gwangju with others and help develop human rights-related programs. 

 
In this way, records of the May 18th Democratic Uprising have contributed to the development of democracy and human rights. 

 
4.4.   Significance of Records

 
1.       Time

a)  Records of violation and infringement of human rights in the form of brutal assault, torture and slaughter of citizens and students by the martial army in the downtown area of Gwangju from May 18^th to 27^th, 1980

b) Records of human rights infringement such as torture, confinement and cruel treatment of those who participated in the uprising whilst awaiting military trial after May 27th, 1980

c)  Records of procedures regarding investigation of the uprising, restoration of honor of Gwangju citizens, compensation for victims, punishment of those responsible from 1980 through 1997.

 
2.       Place

a)  The history of the movement for democracy in the vicinity of Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

b) The history of the nationwide movement for democracy including fact-finding activities and punishment of perpetrators


3.       People

a)  Citizens and students who participated in the May 18^th Democratic Uprising

b) Perpetrators who oppressed and slaughtered citizens and students

c)  Democratic citizens of Korea who participated in the investigation of the uprising in order to bring democracy to Korea

d) Democratic citizens around the world who have visited or sought out Korea to learn about Korean democracy and examine the related records

 
4.       Subject/Theme

a)  Democracy: Records of the citizen’s uprising calling for suffrage and democracy and an end to the intervention of the military forces in politics

b) Human rights: Records of the struggle for the citizen’s right to life and liberty, against the military government

c)  Constitutional government: Records which set an example of the right to resist by demanding the withdrawal of the military government for its wrongful and illegal proclamation of martial law.

d) Cleansing of the past: Records of citizens of Gwangju and Korea who called for fact-finding investigations into the Uprising, the restoration of honor, compensation for victims and memorial projects

 
5.       Form and Style

a)  Documents: Consisting of administrative, military and public statements which have been kept and used as bibliographical data.

b) Video data: VHS tapes directly recorded by international journalists. Eye-witness recordings by those who participated in the Uprising are in Beta-Cam/VHS format.

c)  Oral statements: Eye-witness testimonies from those participated in the Uprising (i.e. casualties and those confined, some members of the military forces who took part in the oppression, and international citizens who observed the uprising) have been preserved in the form of audio data and transcripts.

 

4.5.    Supplementary Conditions
 

1.      Rarity:

Such records cannot be found anywhere outside Gwangju. There have been many uprisings in the world against military governments; however, few records have survived in their original form. When uprisings fail, it is usual that data maintained by victims is lost, but records of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising have been preserved and still possess their original authenticity and vividness. These may be some of the few records maintained by victims.
 

2.  Integrity:

Related data has been preserved without damage, but some data produced by the military government has not.

 
3.      Threats:

a) There is no danger of theft or damage unless some unavoidable event occurs such as fire.

b) In the event of another military government coming to power, there is a possibility that the data from the uprising would be considered ‘harmful’ and be discarded.

 
4.  Management Plan:

Currently there are three main organizations and two government authorities which hold the data. In the event of UNESCO’s recognition of the data as ‘Memory of the World’, a new facility tentatively named ‘Archives of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising’* will be built to preserve them in a systematic and scientific way in accordance with ISO 9000.

  

5   LEGAL INFORMATION

 
Most copies of the documentary records are kept in the 518 Archive of Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall , the Archive of May 18 Memorial Foundation and May 18th Research Center of Chonnam National University. Original ownership, management, proprietary rights, accessibility and the administrative authority responsible differ from one datum to another. Listed below is each of the sorted data types.

 
1.    Documents Created by Administrative Organizations

a) Owner: Korean Government

National Archives of Korea

Government Complex, Seonsaro 139(920 Dunsan-2-dong),

Seo-gu, 302-701 Daejeon, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-42-481-6300, Fax ＋82-42-472-3906

b) Manager: National Archives of Korea

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: National Archives of Korea

 

2.    Relevant Police Data

a) Owner: Korean Government

Gwangju Dongbu Police Station

20 Daeui-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-709, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-1566-0112

b) Manager: Gwangju Dongbu Police Station

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Dongbu Police Station

 

3.    Relevant Army Data

a) Owner: Korean Government

Ministry of National Defense of Korea

# 1, Yongsan-dong 3ga, Yongsan-gu, 140-701 Seoul, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-2-795-0071, Fax ＋82-2-703-3109

b) Manager: Ministry of National Defense of Korea

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Ministry of National Defense of Korea

 

4.    Court Martial Data Relevant to May 18^th

a) Owner: Korean Government

Ministry of National Defense of Korea

# 1, Yongsan-dong 3ga, Yongsan-gu, 140-701 Seoul, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-2-795-0071, Fax ＋82-2-703-3109,

b) Manager: Ministry of National Defense of Korea

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Ministry of National Defense of Korea

 

5.    Court Martial Data Relevant to the “Conspiracy to Rebel” Charge Against Dae-jung Kim

a) Owner: Korean Government

Ministry of National Defense of Korea

# 1, Yongsan-dong 3ga, Yongsan-gu, 140-701 Seoul, S.Korea

Tel ＋82-2-795-0071, Fax ＋82-2-703-3109,

b) Manager: Ministry of National Defense of Korea

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Ministry of National Defense of Korea

 

6.    Relevant Data from the U.S.A.

a) Owner: US government

b) Manager: USA.

c) Proprietary rights: USA.

d) Accessibility: via allowances of the Freedom of Information Act

e) Responsible administrative authority: USA.

 

7.    Primary Data (leaflets, statements and declarations)

a) Owner: Gwangju Metropolitan City & Chonnam National University

City Archives of Gwangju

# 1200 Chipyung-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju 502-702, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-613-1200,

b) Manager: Gwangju Metropolitan City and Chonnam National University

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Metropolitan City and Chonnam National University

 

8.    Eye-Witness Testimony of Victims and Witnesses

a) Owner: The May 18 Memorial Foundation.

Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

# 1268, Sangmu-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju 502-260, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-456-05·18, Fax ＋82-62-456-0519

b) Manager: Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation.

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

 

9.    Documentary Photographs and Footage

a) Owner: The May 18 Memorial Foundation.

Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

# 1268, Sangmu-dong, Seo-gu, 502-260, Gwangju, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-456-05·18, Fax ＋82-62-456-0519

b) Manager: Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

 

10.  Newspaper Articles

a) Owner: Individuals

b) Manager: Gwangju Metropolitan City

c) Proprietary rights: Individuals.

d) Accessibility: Open.

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Metropolitan City

 

11.  Medical Documents

a) Owner: Gwangju Metropolitan City

City Archives of Gwangju

# 1200 Chipyung-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju 502-702, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-613-1200

b) Manager: Gwangju Metropolitan City

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Metropolitan City

 

12.  Belongings of the Deceased

Weapons and Ordnance (bullets, knife fragments, shrapnel, etc.) Removed During Autopsies

Clothes of the Deceased, National Flags, etc

a) Owner: Gwangju Metropolitan City

City Archives of Gwangju

# 1200 Chipyung-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju 502-702, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-613-1200

b) Manager: Gwangju Metropolitan City

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Metropolitan City

 

13.  Transcripts from the National Assembly

a) Owner: Korean State

The National Assembly of Korea

# 1 Yeouido-dong, Youngdeungpo-gu, 150-701, Seoul, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-2-788-2114

b) Manager: the Secretariat of the National Assembly

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: the Secretariat of the National Assembly

 

14. Compensation Records produced by Gwangju Metropolitan City

a) Owner: Gwangju Metropolitan City

City Archives of Gwangju

# 1200 Chipyung-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju 502-702, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-613-1200

b) Manager: Gwangju Metropolitan City

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Metropolitan City

 

15.  Investigation and Criminal Trial Documents

a) Owner: Korean State

Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Korea

# 1730, Seocho 3-dong, Seocho-gu, 137-730, Seoul, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-2-3480-2337

b) Manager: Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Korea

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Korea

 

16.  Public Appeals for the Truth

a) Owner: Gwangju Metropolitan City and Chonnam National University

Gwangju City Archives,

# 1200 Chipyung-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju 502-702, S. Korea

Tel ＋82-62-613-1200

b) Manager: Gwangju Metropolitan City and Chonnam National University

c) Proprietary rights: Public

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Metropolitan City and Chonnam National University

 

17.  Newspapers and Journals

a) Owner: Individuals

b) Manager: Gwangju Metropolitan City

c) Proprietary rights: Individuals.

d) Accessibility: Open.

e) Responsible administrative authority: Gwangju Metropolitan City

 

18.  Memoires of witnesses and survivors

a) Owner: individual authors

b) Manager: individual authors

c) Proprietary rights: individual authors

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

 

19.  Research Papers by Scholars

a) Owner: individual authors

b) Manager: individual authors

c) Proprietary rights: individual authors

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

 

20.  Works of Art Inspired by the Events of May 18^th, 1980: Literature, Film, Music, Paintings

a) Owner: individual artists

b) Manager: individual artists

c) Proprietary rights: individual artists

d) Accessibility: limited by rules and norms which protect privacy and the handling of certain personal data

e) Responsible administrative authority: Archives of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

 


6       MANAGEMENT PLAN 
 

6.1.    A Plan to Establish an Archive of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising

Even though there are currently no problems managing data from the uprising, there is a need for a single archive to manage the data and to preserve it in digital format in order to make it accessible to anyone wishing to examine it. This will ensure effective management and usage of data in the long term once the records have been recognized by UNESCO. Currently, those wishing to research the Uprising face the inconvenience of data being located at various organizations in Seoul and Gwangju and of data being duplicated or missing. 

 
In order to rectify these issues, plans are underway to construct an『Archive of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising』in the main and annex buildings (totaling 10,700 square meters) of the former Provincial Office, where Gwangju citizens fought to the last against armed soldiers. This location has monumental significance as a symbol of the Uprising with the additional benefit of providing optimum accessibility in a user-friendly structure that is convenient, easy to locate and near mass transportation. The『Archive of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising』will be a focal point in preserving, managing and studying the records of the Uprising for historical and educational purposes. Preserving and enlarging the spirit of the Uprising is a noble task worthy of UNESCO recognition and support.
 

The following table lists the expected functions and required size of the Archives of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising.

 
 

6.2.    Plan regarding data maintenance

One hundred thousand pieces of May 18^th related data have been collected and preserved. Fifty one of these are primary data covering some 40,000 pages which have been published since 1997 and are kept on one DVD disk (with copies) to improve practical usage in the Information Era. Other documentary data have been kept in their original form; however, they will be converted to digital form in order to minimize inconvenience and make it easier for the public to access them.
 

1)     Goals of Data Management

a)  To provide an information search service classified by theme, case, time, persons and type of data, by providing an OCMS (One Click Multi Source) DB system where users can ubiquitously search and peruse the May 18th Democratic Uprising related information.

 
b) To provide domestic citizens with data from the Uprising that can be used as an original source for research and educational materials about democracy and human rights and strengthen the foundation of the nation's awareness of democracy and the culture of human rights.
 

c)  To provide the international community with various facts about the May 18^th Democratic Uprising, the history of Korean democracy development and the improvement of human rights, all of which promote universal values throughout the world and can serve as a model for the development of democracy and human rights in Asia.

 
2)     Details of Data Management

a)  To establish a general database (DB) of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising related data

b) To keep documentary data in the DB including 51 books 'Series of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising Data'

c)  To keep data in other forms on the DB including Uprising-related photographs, drawings, posters, leaflets, movies, video clips, plays, public performances and other films

d) To establish a DB for images from original texts

e)  To establish a metadata DB from original texts

f)  To establish a full-text XML DB from original texts

g)  To develop an integrated system for data related to the Uprising

h) To develop a management system and import required devices for the Uprising DB

i)   To import DRM (Digital Rights Management)

 
3)     Plan for Data Collection

Much data has been collected, but further collection is necessary since unknown quantities of uncollected data are kept by individuals. Therefore, visits will be made by various May 18^th organizations, to organizations such as the Bereaved Families Association of May 18^th, the May 18th Association of the Injured, and Prisoners Association of May 18th, to collect personal diaries, photos and mementos from those days. Furthermore, indirect inquiries will be conducted involving the UNCHR, overseas human rights organizations and other authorities to fill in the gaps in the present data. Permission will be requested for the transfer of data preserved by central authorities in order to preserve the records in the May 18^th Democratic Uprising Archive.

 
4)     Plan for Use of Data

a)  Currently, textbooks using data from the Uprising are used in elementary/junior high schools and universities to educate students about democracy and human rights. Well-preserved photographs and video recordings will help spread the values of democracy, human rights and peace by promoting a human rights culture and sensitivity toward human rights among many people through Memorandum of Understanding with human rights-related authorities and organizations, including plans to circulate exhibitions.

b) Moreover, records are currently used in seminars, special lectures and group training sessions for visiting human rights organizations and personnel from other countries, especially from Southeast Asia. These exchanges will be expanded and strengthened to contribute to democracy and human rights education for students by developing more education materials. Great efforts will be made to support researchers by providing Uprising-related data.

 
5)     Budget

An annual budget of two hundred million won is spent on managing three archives in Gwangju, excluding personnel expenditure. An annual budget of three hundred million won is expected to be spent on managing Archives of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising after its construction, excluding personnel expenditure.

  

7        CONSULTATION


PART B - SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
 

1        ASSESSMENT OF RISK

 
There is no notable risk as of now. The authorities and organizations where data are preserved have dedicated themselves to the May 18^th Democratic Uprising and they hold the public trust. In particular, three of these organizations exist to collect and maintain data related to the Uprising.
 

However, data kept by central authorities, such as the Ministry of National Defense, R.O.K, the Public Prosecutions Administration and the Supreme Court, could be at risk depending on the government, especially the ruling party. Therefore, the precautionary measure of requesting the transfer of control and preservation of data to Gwangju shall be considered after the recognition from the UNESCO has been granted.
 

Nevertheless there is little danger since the preservation by national authorities is protected by law. Therefore, it may be concluded that there is low exposure to risks including burglary, with the exception of the risk of fire.
 

2       ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION

 
2.1.    Current Status of Data

Central administrative and military documents are preserved at the National Archives of Korea and Ministry of National Defense, R.O.K and managed in accordance with Public Records Management Law and ISO 9000. The two facilities maintain regular stock checks, fumigation procedures and run 24-hour library monitoring systems to maintain appropriate library conditions such as temperature in the range of 18 to 21 Celsius and a humidity of 48 to 50%. The same conditions apply to three organizations in Gwangju, being the May 18 Archives at Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall, the Archives at the May 18 Memorial Foundation and the Center for Democracy, Human Rights and Peace at Chonnam National University, where documents from the city government, citizens, civic organizations and records made during fact-finding procedures are kept. 

 
The central archive also possesses thermo-hygrostats, Closed Circuit Television monitoring and a fire-preventive system, and making precautionary checks on data annually. These conditions are believed to be the most desirable. 

 
The three organizations in Gwangju are also well-equipped to preserve data with a thermo-hydrostatic and theft-proof system for each archive.
 

The following information shows the comparison between specifications and the current conditions among three organizations located in Gwangju.
  


* F/X rate is based on the F/X rate table from Feb. 19th, 2010.

** KRW signifies the currency of South Korea (Korean Won).
 

2.2     History of Conservation

Some data were collected at individual and organization levels when the Uprising came to an end in May 1980; however, a systematic collection began with the establishment of three organizations in Gwangju, that is, the 518 Archives at Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall in 1995, the Archives at the May 18 Memorial Foundation in 1994, and the Center for Democracy, Human Rights and Peace at Chonnam National University in 1996. Those three archives now hold data donated by individuals and organizations.
 

2.3.    Guidelines for Conservation

Data are kept in accordance with guidelines, provided by law in the Management of Public Archives, Act No. 5709. The Enforcement Rule of the act regarding producing and managing archives is presented in detail in accordance with Law No. 54 by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security. The management of archives is maintained in accordance to articles 15 to 47 of the Enforcement Rule of the Act on the Management of Public Archives.
 

Article 15: Manager of the records, Article 16: Standard chart of record management, Article 17: Discussion and determination of the preservation organization by unit assignment, Article 18: Mark to open and close records, Article 19: Writing the list of transfer of records, Article 20: Extension of period to transfer records, Article 21: Period to write status of records production, Article 22: Notification of plans for records collection, Article 23: Media of electronic records and standards of devices, Article 24: types and standard of preservation media, Article 25: Containing photo discs, Article 26: production of microfilms, Article 27: notification of production of records, Article 28: Signs of library and bookshelves, Article 29: appointment of library manager, Article 30: Preservation of records, Article 31: Inspection of records, Article 32: Limitation of transfer of records, Article 33: Perusing the original copies of records, Article 34: Restoration and duplication of records, Article 35: Eval‎uation documents of records, Article 36: Publication & registration, Article 37: Classification of publication, Article 38: Standards of record materials, Article 39: Notification of production of classified records, Article 40: Request to peruse records by information communication network, Article 41: Limited access to closed records, Article 42: Education of record management course, Article 43: Identification of record inspector, Article 44: Application for registration of government-appointed records, Article 45: Registration and notification of government-appointed records, Article 46: Report of disposition of government-appointed records, Article 47: Commission and collection of government-appointed records.

---

* ‘Archive of the May 18^th Democratic Uprising’ or ‘May 18^th Archive’ in short will be used throughout the document; however, a permanent name for the facility will be discussed later.

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