On March 11 last year, former President Jeon Du-hwan, who is facing charges of defamation of the late President, is leaving his residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul to appear in court. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The trial of former President Jeon Du-hwan (89), who was indicted on charges of defamation for calling the late Father Jo Bio, who testified that there was 'military helicopter gunfire' during the suppression of the May 18 Democratic Movement, a 'shameless liar,' will be held on the 21st.
The trial, which has been ongoing for over two years, is expected to conclude with a first-instance verdict by the end of this year at the latest, once witness examinations scheduled for this month and next month are completed.
According to the Gwangju District Court on the 20th, the continuation hearing of Jeon will be held at 2 p.m. on the 21st in Criminal Courtroom 201 of the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Jeong-hoon of Criminal Division 8. During this hearing, witness examinations will be conducted for four witnesses requested by Jeon's side.
Jeon's defense attorneys plan to focus their questioning on whether helicopter gunfire occurred during the May 18 Democratic Movement period.
The court has summoned former Army Aviation Operations Commander Choi Hae-pil, who served as a member of the May 18 Special Investigation Committee, one team leader-level investigator, former Staff Chief Jang Sa-bok of the Combat Training Command, and the commander of the Army's 103rd Aviation Unit, an armed helicopter unit dispatched to Gwangju.
However, former Staff Chief Jang submitted a letter of non-attendance, and the former commander of the 103rd Aviation Unit is reportedly difficult to serve due to a closed door and absence (the door is locked and no one is present).
Former Commander Choi Hae-pil and one investigator had expressed their intention to refuse testimony before the trial in August, citing work-related reasons, but it has been confirmed that they do not have the right to refuse testimony under the Criminal Procedure Act, making their attendance at this trial highly likely.
To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the court has reduced the priority seating from 38 to 20 seats and the general audience seating from 65 to 15 seats.
Jeon was brought to trial in May 2018 on charges of defaming Father Jo Bio by criticizing him in his memoir as a "shameless liar unworthy of being called a priest" for his testimony witnessing helicopter gunfire during the May 18 incident.
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