Patrick Chauvel, Who Revealed the Truth of May 18 to the World, Becomes First Honorary Citizen of Jeonnam Gwangju

Donates 635 Photos from 1980 Gwangju Coverage
Includes Images of Yun Sangwon and Missing Children
Special Lecture and Honorary Citizenship Ceremony on the 23rd

French photojournalist Patrick Chauvel, who entered Gwangju in May 1980 and captured the violence of martial law forces and the citizens’ uprising with his camera to inform the world, will become the first honorary citizen of Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City. Chauvel also donated 635 photos he took at the time to Gwangju, without any conditions.

According to Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City on July 21, the city will award Chauvel its first honorary citizenship certificate on July 23 at 2:30 PM in the multipurpose auditorium on the 7th floor of the May 18 Democratic Uprising Archives.

On May 26, 1980, a little chief mourner holding his father's portrait is keeping vigil at the funeral hall. Courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do.

Born in Paris, France, in 1949, Chauvel is a freelance photojournalist who has covered conflict zones around the world, including the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. He entered Gwangju, which was isolated from the outside world, on May 23, 1980, and photographed the citizens’ uprising and the crackdown by martial law forces until the operation to suppress Jeonnam Provincial Hall at dawn on May 27. The photographs were delivered to the international community through outlets such as the American news weekly 'Newsweek'.

The 635 photos recently donated by Chauvel to the Archives vividly capture the tragedies and sites of resistance in Gwangju at that time.

The collection also includes the last appearance of martyr Yun Sangwon, spokesperson for the civilian militia who remained at Jeonnam Provincial Hall—the final battlefield—until he was killed on May 27. Other photos preserve scenes such as citizens being taken away by martial law forces after the suppression operation at the hall, and the image of the late Kim Jongyeon, who collapsed bleeding in front of Gwangju YMCA and shouted “Help me” on the morning of the same day.

On May 26, 1980, the mother is crying bitterly in front of the late Park Geumhee's coffin enshrined in the Sangmugwan. Provided by Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do

There is also evidence of missing children. Photos show a seven-year-old child standing beside a funeral procession in front of Jeonnam Provincial Hall on May 26, and a nine-year-old being dragged away by martial law forces the following day.

One of these children reportedly got on a bus to Seoul to escape the martial law forces, later ended up at the Seoul Municipal Children’s Shelter, and spent their adolescence in a protective facility in Busan. These photographs serve as important materials for tracing the whereabouts of children who disappeared after being separated from their families during the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

Chauvel said, "Looking back, the May 18 events in Gwangju were the most historic moment in my life," adding, "These photos are not my photos, but the photos of Gwangju’s citizens." He further stated, "It is an honor to share these materials, which show a path to participating in history and preserving memory."

The event commemorating the photo donation and honorary citizenship will be held under the theme “May, Made Known to the World, Returns to Gwangju.” The event will proceed with a special lecture by Chauvel, a meeting with May 18 bereaved families, and the awarding of the honorary citizenship certificate.

Photo by Patrick Chauvel, Provided by Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City

In his special lecture, Chauvel will recount what he personally witnessed and recorded in Gwangju in May 1980. He will share his experience of entering an isolated Gwangju, the citizens’ resistance, the violence of the martial law troops, and why he felt compelled to inform the international community of what was happening at the scene.

During the meeting with bereaved families, co-hosted by the May 18 Memorial Foundation, Chauvel will meet families of people depicted in the photos he took.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.