Korean Dictionary
How to say "Gwangju Uprising" in Korean
“Gwangju Uprising” in Korean is 5·18 민주화 운동 (pronounced "o-il-pal minjuhwa undong").
5·18 민주화 운동
o-il-pal minjuhwa undong
Usage & Context
The May 18 Gwangju Uprising of 1980 was a pro-democracy movement brutally suppressed by the military. It is a pivotal moment in Korean democracy history. The May 18 National Cemetery in Gwangju honors those who died.
Example Sentence
5·18 민주화 운동은 한국 민주주의 역사에서 중요한 사건이에요.
The May 18 democratization movement is an important event in Korea democracy history.
How to use 5·18 민주화 운동 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Gwangju Uprising” is 5·18 민주화 운동, romanized as o-il-pal minjuhwa undong.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 5·18 민주화 운동.
Pronunciation Guide
"5·18" (o-il-pal) is pronounced "oh-EEL-pahl," with "oh" like the letter 'o', "il" like "eel," and "pal" like "pal" in "palace." "민주화 운동" (minjuhwa undong) is pronounced "min-JOO-hwa oon-DONG," as described in the previous entry. The numbers are read individually.
More Example Sentences
Explaining the geographical location of the event.
5·18 민주화 운동은 광주에서 일어났어요.
The May 18 Democratization Movement happened in Gwangju.
Talking about participating in a commemorative event.
5·18 민주화 운동 기념식에 참석했어요.
I attended the May 18 Democratization Movement memorial ceremony.
Recommending a historical documentary.
그 다큐멘터리는 5·18 민주화 운동을 다루고 있어요.
That documentary covers the May 18 Democratization Movement.
Cultural Context
The 5·18 민주화 운동 (May 18 Democratization Movement), also known as the Gwangju Uprising, is a deeply sensitive and pivotal event in modern Korean history. It refers to the popular uprising in Gwangju in May 1980 against the military government, which was brutally suppressed. This event is a symbol of the struggle for democracy and human rights in Korea. There are many films (e.g., 'A Taxi Driver') and dramas that depict this period, and it's a topic of solemn remembrance and education, particularly in Gwangju.
Editorial note
We review entries like 5·18 민주화 운동 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
5·18 정신을 계승하다
To inherit the spirit of May 18
5·18 기념 공원
May 18 Memorial Park
5·18 진실 규명
Uncovering the truth of May 18
Related Expressions
광주 항쟁
Gwangju Hangjaeng
Gwangju Uprising (another name)
희생자
huisaengja
victim, casualty
민주 영령
minju yeongnyeong
democratic martyrs' spirits
군부 독재
gunbu dokjae
military dictatorship
More Korean History Words
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