“We are students with boiling blood”: ‘Descendants of the Student Tower,’ compiling Gwangju Jeil High School student movement, published

The publication of 'Descendants of the Student Tower' (학생탑의 후예) is a significant moment for South Korea, particularly for the alumni of Gwangju Jeil High School. This book meticulously compiles the history of student activism from this esteemed institution, focusing on the period between the 1960s and 1970s. It serves as a powerful testament to the courage and conviction of young Koreans who actively participated in the nation's struggle for democracy. The narrative begins with the inscription on the Gwangju Student Independence Movement Memorial Tower, 'We are students with boiling blood. Only the right path is our life,' setting the tone for the bravery detailed within. The book highlights figures like poet Kim Nam-ju, who defied the era's rigid educational system and authoritarian rule, and recounts the experiences of students involved in pivotal movements such as the opposition to the Japan-Korea treaty and the fight against the Yushin dictatorship. The stories within are not merely historical accounts; they are deeply personal narratives of sacrifice, including imprisonment, expulsion from school, and even tragic deaths, as seen in the context of the Gwangju Uprising and other pro-democracy demonstrations. This work is crucial for understanding the roots of Korean democracy, often forged in the crucible of student-led resistance. It reminds us that the democratic freedoms enjoyed today were hard-won, with students from institutions like Gwangju Jeil High School playing a pivotal role. The book's release is timely, coinciding with a global recognition of 'K-Democracy,' and positions these students as key figures in that narrative, whose struggles and sacrifices deserve to be remembered and celebrated.

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We are students with boiling blood. Only the right path is our life.