Gwangju Uprising: The Rebellion for Democracy in South Korea

On May 18, 1980, students in Gwangju, South Korea, protested the coup d'état and martial law government of General Chun Doo-hwan. The security forces responded with violence, leading to the arrest, torture, and murder of hundreds of students, activists, and citizens. 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 in the 1990s. This fresh translation of the original text, compiled from eye-witness testimonies, provides a gripping and full account of the events and the political situation that preceded and followed the violence. The edition also includes a preface by Hwang Sok-yong that situates the uprising in its longer-term local and international context.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2022
Publisher: Verso Books

On May 18, 1980, a group of student activists gathered in the city of Gwangju, South Korea, to voice their opposition against the coup d'état and martial law government of General Chun Doo-hwan. In response, the security forces unleashed a brutal crackdown, arresting hundreds of students, activists, and citizens. Over the next ten days, these individuals were subjected to torture, murder, and other forms of violence. The events of the uprising had a profound impact on South Korea, shaping a decade of resistance against the repressive regime. It also paved the way for the country's eventual democratization in the 1990s.

Despite facing suppression and censorship, the texts of the Gwangju Uprising managed to survive in underground circulation. Recently, they have been republished, thanks to the efforts of Slin Jung, who has provided a fresh translation of the original text. Compiled from eye-witness testimonies, this translation offers a gripping and comprehensive account of both the events of the uprising and the political context that preceded and followed the violence.

The edition includes a preface by Hwang Sok-yong, which provides valuable insights into the uprising's historical and international context. The resulting volume stands as an unparalleled account of the movement for democracy and freedom in South Korea during the tumultuous period of the 1980s dictatorship. It is a vital resource for those interested in East Asian contemporary history and the global struggle for democracy.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 152 x 234 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788737142