Catholic Gwangju Archdiocese: "Expecting a Just Judgment from the Court in Jeon Du-hwan Trial"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju urged the proper court to make the right judgment so that judicial justice can be upheld ahead of the first trial sentencing of Jeon Du-hwan scheduled for the 30th.

On the 24th, the Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju stated in a position paper, "Jeon Du-hwan, despite being responsible for sacrificing numerous citizens of Gwangju in May 1980 to establish his regime, has not faced any punishment to this day."

They continued, "History says that the May spirits who innocently died at that time sacrificed themselves to protect democracy on this land," and "However, Jeon Du-hwan, the person responsible for driving innocent people to death, only offers irresponsible excuses that he has nothing to do with the May 1980 Gwangju shooting orders."

They added, "Even now, Jeon Du-hwan must ask for forgiveness and apology for the acts he committed as the highest responsible person in Gwangju and receive appropriate punishment," emphasizing, "The defamation against the late Monsignor Cho Bi-o is not a personal issue but defamation against the citizens of Gwangju who carry the wounds of that May day and live in this moment."

They also stated, "This trial will be an important historical milestone for uncovering the truth of the May 18 Democratic Movement," and "Gwangju uprising, where there are dead but no killers, is not the past but the present."

The Catholic Archdiocese of Gwangju strongly told the court that all responsibility for the acts in May Gwangju lies with Jeon Du-hwan, who was the person in charge at the time.

They argued, "The soldiers who fired guns and sacrificed Gwangju citizens under orders still cannot come into the light and live carrying a heavy stone in a corner of their hearts," and "Since Jeon Du-hwan was responsible for all these matters, the court must impose appropriate punishment on him."

They added, "This defamation trial against the late Father Cho Bi-o should serve as an opportunity for all the truths of the May 18 Democratic Movement to be fully revealed to the world."