Today -- May 18th -- is a deeply solemn anniversary for the people of Korea.<br />On this day in 1980,... 38 years ago,... many innocent civilians in the southwestern city of Gwangju who were demonstrating the authoritarian government of Chun Doo-hwan were killed by government troops charged with putting down the protests.<br /> To remember the day and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle for democracy,... a memorial event is taking place in Gwangju as we speak. <br />Among those in attendance are lawmakers from a number of parties and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.<br />We'll hear more about today's ceremony in our later newscast,... but first our Ko Roon-hee takes a look back at the day of the uprising. <br /> Thousands of people took to the streets on May 18th, 1980 in the southwestern Korean city of Gwangju. <br />This was after then-president Chun Doo-hwan seized power in a military coup and took suppressive measures... such as banning political activities and imposing martial law.<br /> Protesters were beaten and fired upon by government troops during the military crackdown. <br />This left an unknown number of people dead and thousands more wounded. <br />Although the uprising was quelled on May 27th, 1980, a look back in history has proven that it was a victory, not a defeat… as it paved the way for later movements in the 1980s that eventually brought democracy to the country. <br />Last year, South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed to carry on its legacy…by reopening the probe into possible crimes that may have been committed by the troops.<br /><br /> "Demanding the truth of the May 18 Democratic Movement is not a political issue. It is about common sense and justice. It is also about protecting the value of democracy in South Korea."<br /><br /> Recently, a rare video capturing the scenes of the democratic movement was disclosed to the public. <br />A private collector notified the May 18 Archives of the video's existence in December last year, and the archives purchased it in March. <br />The new video shows soldiers implementing martial law and wounded citizens at local hospitals. <br /> The footage will be screened at the archive until May 30th... to remind citizens of a pivotal moment in the country's modern history, that continues to provide inspiration for freedom and human rights.<br />Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News. <br />
