An investigation has confirmed cases of sexual abuse and violence by soldiers during the brutal suppression of the May 18th Democratic Movement in Gwangju in 1980.
A joint investigation led by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Human Rights Commission and the Defense Ministry identified 17 cases of sexual assault.
Eight of those cases were newly filed to the investigation team, and nine cases were confirmed by documents recorded during the movement and documents of compensation for the victims.
The victims included high school and college students and housewives.
The May 18th pro-democracy movement in 1980 laid the groundwork for democracy in South Korea.