Combat boots found on Gwangju's 5.18 Democracy Movement site, investigation launched

Authorities in Gwangju, South Korea, are investigating the discovery of a pair of combat boots deliberately placed on a historical marker commemorating the 5.18 Democracy Movement. The boots were found hanging on the sign for historical site No. 3, located in front of the Gwangju Bank headquarters, which marks the former site of the city's intercity bus terminal.

This location holds significant historical weight as it was a site where martial law troops violently suppressed citizens on May 19, 1980, during the Gwangju Uprising. The site is now part of the "Owol-gil" (May Road) torch course, attracting numerous visitors, especially during May each year.

City officials were alerted to the presence of the boots by passersby on the previous day. Gwangju City immediately removed the boots and reviewed nearby CCTV footage. However, no cameras were positioned to directly observe the historical marker, leaving authorities unable to determine how or when the boots were placed there.

Both the Gwangju City government and the 5.18 Memorial Foundation are treating the incident with seriousness. They suspect the act was intended to defame the 5.18 Democracy Movement, a pivotal event in South Korea's struggle for democracy. Consequently, they plan to formally request a police investigation into the matter.

"There are limitations to investigating the circumstances on our own, so we plan to uncover the details through a police investigation," stated Kim Dae-in, head of the truth-finding team at Gwangju City's 5.18 Democracy Division. The discovery has caused concern among those who commemorate the sacrifices made during the uprising.

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There are limitations to investigating the circumstances on our own, so we plan to uncover the details through a police investigation.