The Gwangju Uprising ( ) , alternatively called Name_conferral the May 18 Democratic Uprising by UNESCO , and also known as May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement ( ) , was a popular uprising Change_of_leadership in the city of Gwangju , South Korea , from May 18 to 27 , 1980 .

The Gwangju Uprising ( ) , alternatively called Name_conferral the May 18 Democratic Uprising by UNESCO , and also known as May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement ( ) , was a popular uprising Change_of_leadership in the city of Gwangju , South Korea , from May 18 to 27 , 1980 .

The Gwangju Uprising ( ) , alternatively called Name_conferral the May 18 Democratic Uprising by UNESCO , and also known as May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement ( ) , was a popular uprising Change_of_leadership in the city of Gwangju , South Korea , from May 18 to 27 , 1980 .

During this period , Gwangju citizens took up arms Bearing_arms ( by robbing Robbery local armories and police stations ) when local Chonnam University students who were demonstrating Protest against the martial law government were fired upon , killed Killing , raped Bodily_harm and beaten Bodily_harm by government troops .

Support Supporting or denial of the Gwangju Uprising has long acted as a litmus test Research between conservative and far right groups and beliefs , and mainstream and progressive sectors of the population .

In 2011 , 1980 Archives for the May 18th Democratic Uprising Change_of_leadership against Military Regime located in Gwangju 's city hall were inscribed Writing on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register .