In the afternoon of May 21, citizens began to arm themselves against the violence of martial law forces, and naturally they were called citizen militia. The protests spread to all parts of South Jeolla Province, including Naju, Hwasun, Wando, Muan, and Mokpo, as street fighting took place between the militia and martial law forces in the Jeonnam Provincial Office, CNU Medical School, Labor Office, Gwangju Park area, and Geumnam-ro.