Jeon Du-hwan's Side: "Not an Apology for 5·18... Limited to Incidents During Tenure"

Mrs. Lee Soon-ja's Additional Explanation on 'Proxy Apology'

On the morning of the 27th, the funeral procession for former President Jeon Du-hwan is taking place at the Yonsei Severance Hospital funeral hall in Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

The late former President Jeon Du-hwan's side stated on the 27th that the apology made on behalf of Jeon's wife, Lee Soon-ja, did not include the victims and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

This was an additional explanation regarding Lee's statement at the funeral ceremony that morning, where she said, "I want to deeply apologize on behalf of my husband to those who suffered and were hurt during his tenure."

Min Jeong-gi, former Blue House secretary for Jeon's side, told reporters at the Seoul Memorial Park crematorium in Seocho-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon, "I saw articles saying that May 18 organizations cannot accept the apology, but (Lee) did not refer to May 18."

He added, "(Lee) clearly said 'during his tenure,' and saying there is no sincerity is a misunderstanding."

Lee emphasized that the apology was only for incidents that occurred "during his tenure" as president, and that the May 18 event happened before Jeon took office on September 1, 1980.

When asked by reporters what incidents occurred during his tenure, Min replied, "There were cases involving protesting students and students who died from police torture."

Min also stressed that this was not the first apology from Jeon's side.

He said, "There were various mistakes during his tenure, and the words of apology to those who suffered because of them are in his memoirs and have been made several times."

He added, "He also apologized when entering Baekdamsa Temple and during the National Assembly hearings. It is not like this is the first time he is apologizing."