Former Hankyoreh Reporter Park Hwa-kang Receives 5.18 Media Award for Resisting Military Crackdown

Park Hwa-kang, a former reporter for The Hankyoreh, has been honored with the 5.18 Media Award for his courageous stance against the military junta's crackdown during the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Park, now 79, was a journalist at the former Jeonnam Maeil Shinmun when he became a key figure in the "Declaration of Practice for Press Freedom" on May 13, 1980.

He was on the front lines, reporting on the military's violent suppression of protests starting May 18. However, facing strict censorship that prevented him from publishing his findings, Park prepared a letter of resignation on May 20. His decision, joined by colleagues, led to a collective resignation, a powerful act of protest against the regime's suppression of information.

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We saw. We saw with our own eyes people being dragged away and killed like dogs. But not a single line was published in the newspaper. We are ashamed and put down our pens

Park's resignation letter, which stated, "We saw. We saw with our own eyes people being dragged away and killed like dogs. But not a single line was published in the newspaper. We are ashamed and put down our pens," is remembered as a symbol of journalistic integrity. The award committee recognized this act and Park's subsequent efforts in establishing The Hankyoreh and his work as a regional reporter until 2004, acknowledging his lifelong commitment to democratic media and the pursuit of truth surrounding the 5.18 Uprising.

Other awards were also presented: the main award went to Gwangju CBS for its reporting on the "Starbucks" incident and the "18 Tank Day," while the excellence award was given to Namdo Ilbo for "May 1980, Beyond Gwangju 5.1" and KBS Gwangju for its documentary series on international solidarity for the 5.18 Uprising. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 23.

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Park Hwa-kang, who wrote the resignation letter at the time of 5.18, is still passed down as a record symbolizing the resistance and conscience of journalists during 5.18, and his contributions to promoting democratic media and dedicating himself to uncovering the truth and inheriting the spirit of 5.18 have been highly recognized.