Historically, the school is known as the birthplace of the Gwangju Student Independence Movement, a series of protests in 1929 against the 1910–1945 Japanese rule of Korea.

[2][3] A number of its alumni have gone on to play professional baseball in Korea, Japan, and the United States.

One of the school's most famous graduates is Sun Dong-yol, considered one of the greatest pitchers in the history of Korean professional baseball.

[1][2] In late October 1929, students from the school helped spark demonstrations against Japanese rule.

Kim Yong-un, a mathematician, philosopher, and critic of civilizations, taught math at the school in the 1950s.