May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives
5•18민주화운동 기록관 · Gwangju · Neighbourhoods & streets
The May 18 Democratization Movement was a righteous uprising by citizens that took place in Gwangju for ten days from May 18 to 27 in 1980. The May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives was established in 2015 at the former Gwangju Catholic Center, a historical site of May 1980, to systematically collect and preserve the May 18 Democratization Movement's heritage that led to the democracy in Korea today. Through the efforts of Gwangju citizens, visitors can see the original records of the May 18 Democratization Movement, inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World in 2011. Visitors can also view the records with a guide or through online exhibitions. The May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives is a place that preserves the history of all Korean citizens.
| Type | Neighbourhoods & streets |
|---|---|
| Region | Gwangju |
| Address | 221 Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City |
| Hours | 09:00-18:00 |
| Closed | Mondays (closed next day if Monday is a public holiday), January 1, Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) holidays, and days deemed necessary by the museum |
| Admission | Free |
| Parking | Available |
Getting there
What's on nearby
Events run on fixed dates — check these against your own trip. Trip Planner shows everything on for the days you are in Korea.
- Apr 4, 2026 – Nov 7, 2026Geumnam-ro Car-Free Street 'Geotjaing' 2026
- Apr 4, 2026 – Nov 7, 2026Chungjang Raon Festa 2026
- Aug 20, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027Mithila Painting: Art That Connects Heart and Life
- Sep 3, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027ACC Future Prize 2026: Kim Young-eun — To Future Listeners, Sound in Motion
