Kwangju 1980: From Protest to City Seizure – The Military and Strategic Aspect of the Struggle

The Kwangju (Gwangju) Uprising of May 1980 marked a turning point in South Korea’s modern history, fundamentally transforming the nature of social protest and resistance. This talk will explore how the uprising escalated into armed confrontation during its first four days (May 18–21), highlighting the roles of regional discrimination, excessive military force, public anger, and strategic decision-making. Rather than viewing the violence as spontaneous, this analysis considers how protestors adapted their strategies in response to repression and circumstance. Understanding these dynamics helps illuminate broader issues, including the efficacy of state violence, allegations of North Korean involvement, the brief rebel occupation of the city, and how the uprising continues to shape South Korea’s collective memory.

Andrew David Jackson is Associate Professor in Korean Studies at Monash University. From 2017-2019, he was Convenor of the Korean Studies programme. Prior to his appointment, he was Associate Professor at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (2013-2017).

Light lunch provided a half-hour before the talk.