By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
About 5,000 people visited the National Cemetery in Gwangju, Thursday, the eve of the anniversary of the May 18 pro-democracy uprising in the region against authoritarian rule.
The visitors cleaned the victims' graves and placed flowers on them in remembrance of those who bravely protested against the 1980 military junta led by former President Chun Doo-hwan, who sent troops and tanks to quell the civilian uprising, killing hundreds of protesters a year after he seized power through a coup.
On the day, about 50 government employees from Hampyeong County of South Jeolla Province, known as a butterfy habitat, held a special commemorating event releasing 5,180 butterflies at the cemetery. Also former soldiers who participated in the dictator's military junta placed national flags on each of the victims' graves.
Across the city of Gwangju, placards with messages for remembering and commemorating the pro-democracy uprising dotted the streets.
About 100 Asian human right activists gathered in the city to discuss human rights in East Asia and strategies to publicize Gwangju's democratic movement to the world.
About 700 students from elementary, middle and high schools participated in a program to experience imprisonment at Sangmu Freedom Park to feel the pain of the victims. Among the participants were 10 Japanese students, who said they were surprised to find that Korea had such a sad history.
Exhibitions at South Jeolla City Office featuring art works on the theme of the 10-day democratic uprising also attracted a large crowd.
Various art festivals, commemorating events and rituals took place across the city for the whole day. About 50 related events including a large-scale outdoor exhibition titled ``Memory of Gwangju'' featuring diverse photographs, installation works and pictures showing the history of Korea's democratic movement will continue until the end of this month.