CNU is building a new figurative work to commemorate the May 18 Democratic Movement at the May 18 Square in front of the White Library Building. In October 2003, CNU announced that the University would install figurative sculptures on campus in order to pay tribute to the memory of the CNU members, who participated in the May 18 Movement. By upholding the cause of the Movement for democracy and human rights, young students can be proud of themselves as CNU members. The project, valued at 560 million won, will be completed soon. For the project, CNU established a Committee for the Installation of Figurative Works In Memory of the May 18 Democratic Movement, which consists of thirteen members including university administration officials, members of the May 18 Research Institute, and student representatives. From Oct. 25 through 28, CNU conducted an Internet survey through its homepage to ask about the best site for the May 18 sculptures on campus. The survey results revealed that most of the survey participants selected the May 18 Square and the area in front of the White Library for the sculpture site. The figurative work has been selected through a public design contest. In order to select an outstanding work to represent the historical significance of CNU as the center of the May 18 Movement, CNU invited the public to join in a prize contest. At the contest, Prof. Kim Dae-gil’s work, “A March for My Dear,” was selected as the best work. A figurative sculpture as high as 9.2 meters above the ground is being constructed at the site. The surrounding areas where the sculpture is installed will be created as an environmental friendly and comfortable site for rest, cultural activities, and education. Along with the project, the University has completely maintained the Park Gwan-hyun Monument and transferred it to the hill in front of the Law Building from the park of the Law College. The late Park Gwan-hyun was president of the CNU student association in 1980 and played a leading role as an organizer of National Democratic Students
League. In 1982 he died in prison after a long period of escape. In 1989 CNU conferred the honorary degree to him to commemorate his commitments to the development of democracy in Korea. “Chonnam National University, called as a symbol of honest Korean intellectuals, underwent the hardships in 1980 when so many young lives had been sacrificed. The May 18 Uprising was righteous as it fought against a dictatorial regime that had attempted to divide the nation in a bid to prolong its stay in power. We have not had any memorial sculptures or modeled works on campus to this date, although the university has been referred to as the epicenter of the Uprising. With the installation of a new figurative work on campus, we can keep our pride as the center of the democracy and human rights movement,” said Kim Hyun-tae, Dean of the Office of the Planning & Cooperation.