Jo Mun-ho's June Uprising Photo Exhibition '1987'

An exhibition titled '1987' by documentary photographer Jo Mun-ho is currently underway at Gallery Index in Seoul, showcasing approximately 30 photographs capturing the June Democracy Movement. The exhibition, which runs until June 15, focuses on the ordinary citizens who participated in the historic pro-democracy protests, rather than the large-scale spectacles of the demonstrations.

Jo Mun-ho, who has spent a decade documenting the lives of the urban poor from a makeshift settlement near Seoul Station since 2016, shifts his lens to a pivotal moment in South Korea's modern history. The exhibition's title, '1987,' refers to the year of the widespread protests that led to significant democratic reforms in the country.

The photographs highlight the diverse ways citizens engaged with the movement. Images include the 'necktie brigade' – office workers who joined the protests – and ordinary citizens opening bus windows to applaud demonstrators. The exhibition also features scenes of a mother protesting against unjust suppression and a street cleaner wearing a gas mask, offering a unique perspective on the events of 1987 through the eyes of the people.

This focus on the individual citizen's experience aims to convey the deep-seated desire for democracy that fueled the movement. By centering the narrative on these everyday participants, Jo Mun-ho's exhibition offers a poignant reminder of the collective will that shaped South Korea's democratic journey.