The former South Jeolla Provincial Government Building, a historic site of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, will undergo trial operations from February 28 to April 5 ahead of its official opening in May this year.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 24th that the Former South Jeolla Provincial Government Building Restoration Task Force has been carrying out restoration work to return the building in Dong-gu, Gwangju to its appearance from May 1980 and to restore its historical value for democracy. The ministry said trial operations are being prepared ahead of the official opening.
The former provincial government building, which had been used as the main building of the South Jeolla Provincial Office and the South Jeolla Police Bureau, began restoration construction in 2019 with the goal of returning it to its 1980s original form.
During the trial operation period, visitors can freely tour six exhibition halls including the main provincial office building, annex building, conference room, provincial police bureau main building, police bureau civil service office, and Sangmugwan, as well as outdoor exhibitions. The exhibition halls are designed as spaces for narrative, reenactment, education, and commemoration of the May 18 Democratic Uprising based on historical records, allowing visitors to experience the history and significance of Korean democracy.
Guided tours will be offered 10 times daily during the trial period.
"During the trial operation period, we will gather various opinions and do our best to ensure that citizens can experience the meaning and history of the May 18 Democratic Uprising more safely and deeply when we officially open," said Jeong Sang-won, head of the Former South Jeolla Provincial Government Building Restoration Task Force.