National Cemetery of May 18th 5.18 국립 묘지

National Cemetery of May 18th  5.18 국립 묘지

The May 18^th National Cemetery is not simply a memorial housing artifacts from the democratic movement of 1980–it is also a burial site for victims of the movement. In 1997, victims of the May 18^th Uprising were exhumed and buried at this new location, and on May 16^th every year, a memorial service is held here to commemorate this somber, historic event in Korea’s fight for democracy. The status of the site was elevated to that of national cemetery in 2002 (Presidential Decree No. 17668).  Now a 4-meter-high memorial tower rises from the site, symbolizing resurrection.

• Address: 34 Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju
• Website: http://518.mpva.go.kr
• Tel: 062-266-5187
• Operation hours: March – October: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., November – February: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Free admission. The cemetery is open every day of the year, with English interpreters and guides available
• Bus stop: 5.18 National Cemetery Entrance (5.18공원묘지입구) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)