Memory and Solidarity of The May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and Women
LIM Younghee [Movie director]
The May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and Women is an important record that uncovers the hidden history of women in the Gwangju Uprising and highlights women as the true protagonists of the uprising. After poet KO Jung-hee’s writing (Gwangju Women Fought This Way, Monthly JoongAng, May 1988) served as a voice to echo their organizational experiences in the struggle throughout the world, systematic research into the historical significance of the women in the Gwangju Democratization Movement began in the 1990s. With the evolvement in the women's and democratization movements, the history of Gwangju women gained a growing interest, leading to more active scholarly approaches. In the early research stages, most records focused on political victimization of women rather than their active engagement, however, the later materials expanded to encompass a broader scope of experiences and memories.
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On 3 December 2024, when citizens faced an insurrection, despite the harsh cold, they gathered in the square and became so-called ‘Kisses Squad’. (The term ‘Kisses Squad’ refers to the young people who joined rallies draped in emergency silver foil blankets, resembling a bunch of Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, as they defended democracy.) In the movement, women have revealed themselves as subjects of resistance against state violence and have resonated deeply within today's women's movements. It is a solidarity of lives that change the world.
Memory and Solidarity of The May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and Women
LIM Younghee [Movie director]
The May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and Women is an important record that uncovers the hidden history of women in the Gwangju Uprising and highlights women as the true protagonists of the uprising. After poet KO Jung-hee’s writing (Gwangju Women Fought This Way, Monthly JoongAng, May 1988) served as a voice to echo their organizational experiences in the struggle throughout the world, systematic research into the historical significance of the women in the Gwangju Democratization Movement began in the 1990s. With the evolvement in the women's and democratization movements, the history of Gwangju women gained a growing interest, leading to more active scholarly approaches. In the early research stages, most records focused on political victimization of women rather than their active engagement, however, the later materials expanded to encompass a broader scope of experiences and memories.
.
.
.
On 3 December 2024, when citizens faced an insurrection, despite the harsh cold, they gathered in the square and became so-called ‘Kisses Squad’. (The term ‘Kisses Squad’ refers to the young people who joined rallies draped in emergency silver foil blankets, resembling a bunch of Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, as they defended democracy.) In the movement, women have revealed themselves as subjects of resistance against state violence and have resonated deeply within today's women's movements. It is a solidarity of lives that change the world.