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December 07, 2005
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| The metropolitan city of Gwangju broke ground for a new cultural hall yesterday as part of a plan to build an Asian cultural hub in the region. It was an election pledge by President Roh Moo-hyun to build “a Northeast Asian mecca for culture and arts” in Gwangju, a southwestern city known internationally for its past democracy movement. “The Asian Culture Complex, as a base for the exchange and study of culture and arts, will become a driving force for Gwangju to be the center of Korean and Asian culture,” Mr. Roh said in his celebratory speech. The complex is to be completed by 2010 in the center of the city, adjacent to a public square that honors the May 18 democracy movement. Massive demonstrations by tens of thousands of Gwangju citizens erupted on the city streets of Geumnamno on May 18, 1980, against the then military junta led by Chun Doo Hwan, who seized power in a coup the previous year. Chun sent troops equipped with tanks and rifles to quell the uprising. Ruling and opposition lawmakers submitted a motion to parliament last month supporting the Asian culture hub project, construction of which will continue until 2023. The Asian Culture Complex, which will include performance halls, museums, auditoriums and educational facilities, is expected to cost $675 million. Joining the ground-breaking ceremony were Culture Minister Chung Dong-chea, ruling and opposition lawmakers and local cultural dignitaries. Foreign cultural experts were also on hand. |
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