'Eternal Star of Gwangju,' Yoon Sang-won and the Deulbul Martyrs [May Road Story]

Gwangju's "May Road" invites visitors to trace the footsteps of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising through a 66.2 km network of trails. The path is divided into six courses, each named after a key theme: Torch, Sacrifice, Plaza, Passion, Soul, and the recently added "Writer Son of the Han River's Path." Historical markers guide visitors to significant locations, and a dedicated smartphone app and website provide further information.

This installment focuses on the "Passion Course," a relatively short 5.9 km segment. While its start and end points, the 5·18 Memorial Park and Chonnam National University's Democracy Path, are part of other courses, this route specifically highlights two key sites: the former location of the Deulbul Night School and the Mudeung Stadium. The Deulbul Night School was a place where the youthful spirit of martyr Yoon Sang-won was deeply invested, while the Mudeung Stadium marks the starting point of the taxi drivers' protests that ignited the 5·18 People's Uprising.

The Deulbul Night School's former site is within the Gwangcheon-dong Cathedral complex. Although the surrounding area is undergoing redevelopment, the cathedral remains operational. The night school began in 1978 in the cathedral's religious education room, which has since been demolished. Only the wall near the entrance of the original building has been preserved and is carefully maintained in the cathedral courtyard. A plaque reading 'Daegon Andrea Education Center' on the red brick wall evokes memories of that era.

Yoon Sang-won joined the Deulbul Night School as a teacher in October 1978 at the age of 28. He lived a passionate life for about a year and seven months until his sacrifice at the provincial government building on May 27, 1980. His life, marked by earnestness, contemplation, and purity, shone brightly. Yoon was not a typical activist with a decorated resume. After failing the university entrance exam twice, he was admitted to Chonnam National University's political science and international relations department. His dream was to become a diplomat after passing the foreign service exam. After military service, he briefly worked at the Housing Bank in Seoul to fulfill his parents' wishes as the eldest son. However, his purity and inner turmoil prevented him from ignoring the era's suffering. He quit the bank within months and moved to Gwangju to dedicate himself to the labor movement and serve as a teacher at the Deulbul Night School.

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I have abandoned my parents' wishes and quit my job. Considering the grace with which you raised and supported me, even a lifetime of effort would not be enough. However, I cannot ignore the reality of this nation and its people, where injustice and corruption prevail, so I intend to resign. Please understand, my parents.