Jeon Du-hwan's Side: "The Order to Shoot on May 18 Is Not True, How Can We Apologize?"

Former President Jeon Du-hwan and his wife Lee Soon-ja, who are accused of defamation of a deceased person, are leaving their residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on March 11 to appear in court. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Min Jeong-gi, former secretary to ex-President Jeon Du-hwan (89), stated, "I have nothing to say and do not want to say anything about the person who gave the shooting order and those responsible during the May 18 incident."

In a phone interview with Yonhap News on the 18th, former Secretary Min said, "Regarding the May 18 operation issue, Lee Hee-seong, then Army Chief of Staff and Martial Law Commander, detailed that it was his responsibility."

Former Secretary Min added, "Regarding the overall May 18 issue, ex-President Jeon detailed what he wanted and needed to say in his memoirs," and said, "I have nothing to say about President Moon Jae-in's interview with Gwangju MBC yesterday."

When asked whether ex-President Jeon is seen as not responsible for May 18, he replied, "He expressed his position during the National Assembly hearings. They demand an apology every year, but specifically, what are they asking to apologize for?" He added, "If they demand an apology for ordering indiscriminate shooting at civilians, that is not true, so how can he apologize?"

Former Secretary Min emphasized again, "The police and martial law troops were exhausted from suppressing protests and resting when they were crushed to death by protester buses and armored vehicles," and said, "Could the comrades have just stood by while their colleagues were dying right before their eyes? The commander had not given a prior shooting order."

There have been repeated suspicions that ex-President Jeon, who was a powerful figure in the military at the time, was behind the deployment of martial law troops and the shooting orders during May 18.

In response, ex-President Jeon's side has emphasized that Lee Hee-seong, then Martial Law Commander, had full authority over the deployment and on-site operational command of the martial law troops in Gwangju, and that ex-President Jeon, as the Security Commander at the time, was not well informed about the process.

Earlier, on the 17th, marking the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, President Moon expressed his determination to uncover the truth in a special interview with Gwangju MBC. In the interview, President Moon said, "(The purpose of uncovering the truth) is not to punish those responsible but to enable reconciliation, integration, and forgiveness based on the foundation of truth."