May 18 organizations have requested a police investigation after military boots were found hanging on a sign related to the May 18 Democratization Movement in the Dong-gu district of Gwangju Metropolitan City.
The May 18 Memorial Foundation submitted a formal request for investigation to the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency on July 1, asking them to identify the individual responsible and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The foundation and the city government conducted an internal investigation starting the previous day, but were unable to determine who left the boots or what their intentions were.
A single military boot was discovered on a utility pole at an intersection near the Gwangju Bank headquarters in Daein-dong, Dong-gu, on June 30.
The location where the boot was found features a sign guiding visitors along the May Road, which is situated near the former Gwangju Intercity Bus Terminal, designated as 5·18 Historic Site No. 3.
The foundation has asked the police to investigate whether there was an intent to mock the democratization movement by hanging military boots, which symbolize the martial law troops deployed to Gwangju during the 5·18 movement.
A representative from the foundation stated, "If the police investigation reveals that this was intended to mock the 5·18 movement, we will respond sternly."
(Photo: Provided by the May 18 Memorial Foundation, Yonhap News)