S.Korea marks 35th anniv. of May 18 Gwangju Uprising

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.