518 Cemetery

518 Cemetery

From 5.18 Cemetery, you can see Mudeungsan Mountain. It is the resting place of those who sacrificed their lives during the May 1980 democratic struggle, and the cemetery stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy. In 1980, the victims were carried to Mangwoldong Cemetery on handcarts and sanitation trucks and buried there. Later, as the May 1980 Democratic Uprising was reassessed, the cemetery was relocated to its current site in 1997, and May 18th was designated as a national memorial day.

To enter 5.18 Cemetery, you first pass through the Democracy Gate, which resembles the main gate of a traditional Korean house. After crossing the spacious Democracy Square, you arrive at the Remembrance Gate, which honors the spirits of the May 18 martyrs. A bit further ahead stands an oval-shaped structure 4 meters high with two hands clasped together—this is the May 18 Democratic Uprising Memorial Tower, symbolizing the rebirth of new life. Below the tower is an altar for burning incense and paying tribute. Beyond the memorial tower, reliefs on both sides depict scenes from that period. On the right is a reliquary shaped like a dolmen, housing the memorial tablets and spirit chambers of the fallen. Opposite it is the Gate of History, where photos and video materials offer insight into what happened at the time, giving visitors a historical understanding of Korea. 5.18 Cemetery helps you understand Korea’s history, and its beautiful surroundings make it a great place for a walk. From May 16 to May 18 each year, memorial services are held in the cemetery square, featuring performances by a traditional Korean orchestra, gut dances to console the souls, and shamanistic ascension rituals.

Transportation: 1. Take city bus No. 518 from Gwangju Express Bus Terminal and get off at the National Cemetery Entrance (takes about 60 minutes, buses run every 40 minutes). 2. By taxi, it takes about 20 minutes from Gwangju Express Bus Terminal to the park entrance.

Details: 1. Inquiry phone: Cemetery Management Office +82-62-266-5187 (Korean/Japanese) 2. Website: www.518.org (Korean/English) 3. Visiting hours: March–October 08:00–19:00 / November–February 08:00–17:00 4. Parking: Private cars follow a “10th-day parking off” rule (578 parking spaces available)

Location: 34, Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju

Opening Hours: 08:00–19:00

South Korea, Busan