Commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Buma Democratic Protests, Nuk-Teo and its surrounding area will have a new name, "Siwol Square."
Pusan National University (PNU) is pushing to put the “Siwol Square” in front of the name of the surrounding area including the Nuknukhan-Teo (Nuk-Teo). This is to reflect on the historical significance of the Buma Democratic Protests, which marks its 44th anniversary this year.
![A view of the area around PNU Nuk-Teo, which is being promoted to be named "Siwol Square." [Provided by PNU Division of Public Relations and Communications]](https://cdn.channelpnu.pusan.ac.kr/news/photo/202309/33953_15320_5830.jpg)
From September 13th to 19th, the Division of Student Affairs conducted an opinion survey on the “Naming of Siwol Square” to all organizations on campus including the General Students' Association, the General Alumni Association, and the Democratic Alumni Association. As a result, there was no major disagreement, so on September 20th, the Office of Student Affairs announced that it would implement the naming of a section of the Nuk-Teo as Siwol Square.
The space to be named “Siwol Square” is the space currently referred to as Nuk-Teo, Basketball Court, and Sidewalk Square. Each space will become Siwol Square Nuk-Teo, Siwol Square Basketball Court, and Siwol Square Open Space. The Office of Student Affairs is taking the remaining steps, including installing the information board and holding a naming ceremony for Siwol Square early next month.
PNU believes that naming the space Siwol Square will give it historical significance as the birthplace of the Buma Democratic Protests, while also making the space easier to identify for PNU members and local residents. Sidewalk Square, which was previously ambiguous in its designation, will also be defined as “Siwol Square Open Space.” The staff of the Office of Student Affairs said, “This name change will help to recall the spirit of the Buma Democratic Protests and enhance its utilization as an open space for PNU members and local residents.”
PNU students say they need time to get used to the change in space names. Lee Ji-Eun (Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy, 23) said, “I'm still not sure whether the new name can be used routinely among the campus community, but I think it is a positive step in unifying the naming of the space.” Lim Eun-Jae (School of Pharmacy, 23) said “I think it's important to remember the spirit of the Buma Democratic Protests, so we should get used to the idea of naming the space around Nuk-Teo as Siwol Square.”
Reporter Choi Yun-Hui
Translated by Lim Chae-Kyung