South Korea marks the 35th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising today (Monday).
In 1980, pro-democracy citizens in the southwestern city of Gwangju clashed with paratroopers led by former Army general-turned-President Chun Doo-Hwan. The uprising left hundreds dead.
Top politicians, including the ruling and opposition party leaders, and senior government officials attended the government-organized ceremony to commemorate the anniversary at the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju.
However, the committee for the May 18th event held a separate commemorating ceremony in the city due to rows with the government over a symbolic song for the uprising.
Thousands of people gathered in Seoul and Gwangju on the eve of the anniversary to pay tribute to the uprising victims.
[저작권자(c) YTN 무단전재, 재배포 및 AI 데이터 활용 금지]