After more than 40 years, survivors of sexual violence during South Korea’s 1980 Gwangju May 18 Democratization Movement have come forward, revealing not only the abuses committed by martial law forces but also exposing shortcomings in the country’s support systems for victims of state violence.

On Sept. 30, survivors shared their accounts during a historic testimony event at the National Assembly Library.

Among the survivors was 71-year-old Choi Kyung-sook, who detailed her experience from May 19, 1980.

At 27, and pregnant with her third child, Choi was assaulted by two soldiers in the back of her vehicle after being forcibly stopped on her way to pick up her children. When she reached a midwifery clinic after the attack, nurses informed her that she had lost her child.

Choi’s experience, while deeply personal, reflects a broader pattern of abuse many survivors endured in silence, burdened by their memories, societal stigma and government neglect.

The testimonies exposed significant gaps in South Korea’s approach to supporting victims of state-perpetrated sexual violence, highlighting insufficient administrative practices and a reluctance to fully confront the past.

Experts interviewed by Korea Pro emphasized that more than mere acknowledgment is needed to address these long-standing injustices. They called for comprehensive legislative and procedural reforms to ensure the state takes full responsibility for past atrocities and provides meaningful support for survivors.

Sexual assault survivors, supporters and South Korean lawmakers pose for a photo after a testimony event for sexual violence victims of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement at the National Assembly Library on Sept. 30 | Image: Courtesy of Yoon Kyung-hoe

NEW REVELATIONS

The May 18 Democratization Movement, which began as a student protest against Chun Doo-hwan’s martial law, escalated into a citywide uprising in Gwangju. The ensuing military crackdown left hundreds dead or injured.

Decades later, alongside the survivors’ testimonies, the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission released a report in Dec. 2023, documenting a systematic pattern of sexual violence.

The report revealed that the ROK Army’s 7th Airborne Brigade, deployed on May 18, 1980, had received orders to “strip women’s clothes,” leading to numerous incidents of forced disrobing.

“These actions were widespread and part of an organized pattern of state violence, not isolated misconduct,” Yoon Kyung-hoe, a former team leader of the May 18 Commission, told Korea Pro.

Military records also uncovered a disturbing pattern of sexual assaults by reservists, particularly against teenage girls. “The average victim age was 15, with the youngest just 11,” Yoon said.

The investigation revealed multiple instances of harassment and assault during arrests. More severe cases involved allegations of rape.

“We uncovered numerous reports of women being assaulted by soldiers, yet found no military court proceedings related to these cases,” Yoon explained.

The commission verified 16 cases of sexual violence committed by martial law troops and state actors, though it initially identified 52 potential cases. Verification efforts were hindered by a lack of victim consent and insufficient evidence.

Yoon noted that societal attitudes in the 1980s and legal definitions hampered reporting and prosecution. Sexual violence was often framed as a crime of a woman “losing her chastity,” a view that discouraged many victims from coming forward due to fears of social stigma.

Despite the May 18 Movement’s official state recognition in 1997 and its inclusion in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2011, many victims remained silent.

“They feared being labeled as women who lost their chastity,” Yoon said, adding that those who did speak out often faced skepticism.

The commission’s report called for state measures to heal and restore honor to survivors who have come forward after four decades. It also urged the military and police to establish safeguards against future “crimes against humanity” during official duties.

Martial law troops detain citizens during the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in 1980 | Image: Lee Chang-seong, courtesy of The May 18 Foundation

CONTINUED NEGLECT

The South Korean government’s response to the findings on sexual violence during the May 18 Movement has drawn criticism, raising concerns about its commitment to addressing historical injustices.

On June 24, the Truth Commission submitted its report to the president and the National Assembly, recommending compensation for victims of sexual violence perpetrated by martial law troops.

However, Yoon revealed to Korea Pro that the Presidential Office “declined an in-person briefing” on the report, opting instead for a written submission. This departure from standard protocol — where investigative bodies typically provide face-to-face briefings — has raised alarm.

“After receiving the report, the Presidential Office should have convened a ministerial meeting, including the justice and interior ministers, to establish roles that they will play to address the issue,” Yoon said. “There has been no sign of that so far.”

The Special Act on Fact-finding of the May 18 Democratization Movement mandates that the government report implementation plans for victims to lawmakers within six months of receiving the commission’s findings.

Concerns grew during a recent National Assembly audit when Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min admitted he had not yet been briefed on the report even though the statutory deadline will expire in less than 80 days.

“If the administration doesn’t act, it will show that the state isn’t taking responsibility for these cases of violence,” Yoon said.

Jang Da-hye, a research fellow at the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice (KICJ), noted that a fundamental issue is the government’s reluctance to categorize the sexual violence as state violence — a problem dating back to initial investigations in 1998.

“They failed to properly identify sexual violence as part of the broader spectrum of state violence,” Jang said.

This oversight has led to ongoing reluctance to fully recognize these acts, Jang argued.

She also criticized current investigations for using “excessively strict evidence standards, such as requiring eyewitnesses.”

“The government needs to make an official declaration acknowledging these acts as state violence and outline support steps,” Jang emphasized.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol with the parents of the victims of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement | Image: ROK Presidential Office (May 18, 2024)

AN INADEQUATE SUPPORT SYSTEM

The Act on Compensation for Persons Related to the May 18 Democratization Movement explicitly recognizes that sexual violence victims are eligible for state compensation and requires the interior ministry to establish counseling and treatment programs for their physical and mental recovery.

According to the interior ministry, 26 of 1,979 compensation applications related to the May 18 Movement were from sexual violence victims. The application period ran from July to Dec. 2023 as part of an expanded compensation program for victims of the uprising.

The ministry informed Korea Pro that an inter-agency Compensation Deliberation Committee is conducting fact-finding investigations on these cases.

“Once our investigations conclude, we’ll make decisions on recognizing related persons and determining appropriate compensation,” the ministry said.

The ministry acknowledged the need for enhanced victim protection during investigations, citing the difficulties survivors face in disclosing their experiences.

However, Yoon pointed to significant challenges in the compensation process, particularly for psychological damages, and criticized the lengthy review process.

“It takes about two years just to get results,” Yoon said. “Even then, victims don’t receive compensation for psychological harm without filing a separate lawsuit against the state.”

She argued that expecting aging survivors to navigate a protracted legal process is unreasonable.

Citizens gather in front of the fountain at Jeonnam Provincial Office Plaza, demanding an end to Chun Doo-hwan’s martial law during the May 18 Gwangju Uprising in 1980 | Image: Na Kyung-taek, courtesy of The May 18 Memorial Foundation

MOVING TOWARD A BETTER SYSTEM

Experts called for a more comprehensive approach to supporting survivors of sexual violence during the May 18 Democratization Movement, emphasizing the need for both legal reforms and societal change.

Yoon suggested a more expansive interpretation of the Act’s provisions, potentially recognizing mental suffering without requiring separate civil action. This would streamline the compensation process, particularly for psychological damages.

Jang of KICJ also stressed the importance of support systems for victims’ families, especially when direct victims have passed away.

The National Trauma Recovery Center, which opened in July 2024, offers a range of programs, including individual counseling, meditation and stabilization techniques designed for victims of state violence, including sexual assault survivors from the May 18 Movement.

The interior ministry told Korea Pro that it is committed to guiding survivors to these resources, with plans to launch holistic healing programs that address both mental and physical trauma. The ministry also plans to partner with healthcare providers experienced in treating sexual violence trauma.

However, Jang cautioned that trauma support alone is insufficient without full acknowledgment of victims’ suffering. She noted that many victims still view their experiences as shameful due to conservative societal norms.

“Community attitudes play a huge role in either amplifying or silencing victims’ trauma,” Jang said, calling for efforts to raise awareness and prevent secondary victimization.

Yoon also emphasized that addressing historical injustices goes beyond monetary compensation.

“Recognizing state responsibility for past actions and addressing victims’ grievances today is crucial,” Yoon told Korea Pro.

Four decades after the violence in Gwangju, survivors like Choi, along with advocates and researchers, await the government’s response to the Truth Commission’s findings. With the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Movement approaching, the South Korean government faces pressure to address past injustices and build a more effective support system.

Edited by John Lee