![[Boram Jang] A 6-hour lesson from Korea](assets/images/news/6931469d840e9_news-p.v1.20251203.54377cdf56e94fe6aa93b08fd00ddfca_P1.jpg)
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December 04, 2025
[Boram Jang] A 6-hour lesson from Korea
Like every schoolchild in South Korea, I was taught about the days in May 1980 when our country’s soldiers killed civilians in the Gwangju Democratic Uprising. At least 166 protesters — mostly students — were shot dead, and at the time there were no consequences for those responsible. One year ago — on Dec. 3 last year, when South Korea’s then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and deployed troops to the National Assembly — that lesson helped save the country's constitutional order. In
**A 6-hour lesson from Korea**
The Gwangju Democratic Uprising of May 1980 is a somber and pivotal event etched into the memory of every South Korean schoolchild. Boram Jang, like her peers, learned the harrowing details of those days when the nation's military turned against its own citizens in Gwangju, resulting in the deaths of at least 166 protesters, primarily students demanding democratic reforms. The tragedy, marked by a brutal crackdown with no immediate accountability for those responsible, left a deep scar on the national psyche. This painful history, however, proved to be an unexpectedly valuable lesson decades later.
Jang highlights how this very history played a crucial role in safeguarding South Korea's constitutional order just a year ago. On December 3rd of the previous year, then-President Yoon Suk Yeol's actions triggered alarm bells across the nation. The declaration of martial law and the deployment of troops to the National Assembly immediately conjured up the chilling echoes of Gwangju.
The memory of the 1980 uprising served as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked military power and the suppression of democratic voices. The swift and unified response from various sectors of society, fueled by the collective understanding of history's lessons, acted as a powerful check. The six hours that followed the President's declaration were critical. The nation held its breath, acutely aware that the principles of democracy were hanging in the balance.
This shared understanding of the past, instilled through education and collective memory, empowered citizens to recognize the threat and act decisively. While Jang's account doesn't elaborate on the specifics of the response, the implication is clear: the memory of Gwangju served as a catalyst for action, preventing a potential descent into authoritarianism and ultimately preserving South Korea's constitutional framework. The tragic events of 1980, therefore, became an unlikely safeguard, demonstrating the profound and lasting impact of historical awareness on a nation's ability to protect its democratic values.
The Gwangju Democratic Uprising of May 1980 is a somber and pivotal event etched into the memory of every South Korean schoolchild. Boram Jang, like her peers, learned the harrowing details of those days when the nation's military turned against its own citizens in Gwangju, resulting in the deaths of at least 166 protesters, primarily students demanding democratic reforms. The tragedy, marked by a brutal crackdown with no immediate accountability for those responsible, left a deep scar on the national psyche. This painful history, however, proved to be an unexpectedly valuable lesson decades later.
Jang highlights how this very history played a crucial role in safeguarding South Korea's constitutional order just a year ago. On December 3rd of the previous year, then-President Yoon Suk Yeol's actions triggered alarm bells across the nation. The declaration of martial law and the deployment of troops to the National Assembly immediately conjured up the chilling echoes of Gwangju.
The memory of the 1980 uprising served as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked military power and the suppression of democratic voices. The swift and unified response from various sectors of society, fueled by the collective understanding of history's lessons, acted as a powerful check. The six hours that followed the President's declaration were critical. The nation held its breath, acutely aware that the principles of democracy were hanging in the balance.
This shared understanding of the past, instilled through education and collective memory, empowered citizens to recognize the threat and act decisively. While Jang's account doesn't elaborate on the specifics of the response, the implication is clear: the memory of Gwangju served as a catalyst for action, preventing a potential descent into authoritarianism and ultimately preserving South Korea's constitutional framework. The tragic events of 1980, therefore, became an unlikely safeguard, demonstrating the profound and lasting impact of historical awareness on a nation's ability to protect its democratic values.
Category:
Politics