Jeon Du-hwan '5·18 Trial' to Conclude in October... Sentencing Expected in November

Former President Jeon Du-hwan [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The trial of former President Jeon Du-hwan, who was indicted on charges of defamation of the deceased related to the May 18 Democratic Movement, is expected to conclude next month.

On the afternoon of the 21st, Judge Kim Jeong-hoon of the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 8 held a continuation hearing for Jeon and announced that after one more session, the trial would be concluded. The court decided to summon once more a special investigation team leader-level investigator who was absent among the four witnesses requested by Jeon's side and then proceed with the sentencing procedure. It is known that the investigator did not appear in court because the summons was not delivered that day. If the trial concludes as scheduled, the court is expected to hold the sentencing hearing as early as November.

Lee Jong-gu, former Chief of Operations at the Army Headquarters, who appeared as a witness at the trial that day, testified that he never issued operational orders to conduct helicopter gunfire during the May 18 incident. He acknowledged the three directives issued by the Army Chief of Staff to the Combat Training Commander on May 25, 1980 (conduct operations under the responsibility of the Combat Training Commander, commence after midnight on May 27, and devise measures to minimize civilian and martial law forces' casualties).

Jeon was indicted for criticizing the late Father Jo Bi-o, who testified in his 2017 memoir that he witnessed helicopter gunfire during May 18, as a "shameless liar unworthy of being called a clergyman." The crime of defamation of the deceased requires recognition that false facts were stated to damage the honor of the deceased, and it is punishable by imprisonment or detention for up to two years or a fine of up to 5 million won.