The
essential account of the South Korean 1980 pro-democracy rebellion
On May 18, 1980, student activists
gathered in the South Korean city of Gwangju to protest the coup
d’état and the martial law government of General Chun Doo-hwan.
The security forces responded with unmitigated violence. Over the
next ten days hundreds of students, activists, and citizens were
arrested, tortured, and murdered. The events of the uprising shaped
over a decade of resistance to the repressive South Korean regime and
paved the way for the country’s democratization.
This fresh translation by Slin Jung of
a text compiled from eyewitness testimonies presents a gripping and
comprehensive account of both the events of the uprising and the
political situation that preceded and followed the violence of that
period. Included is a preface by acclaimed Korean novelist Hwang
Sok-yong.
Gwangju Uprising is a vital
resource for those interested in East Asian contemporary history and
the global struggle for democracy.
