Democratic Party Gwangju Branch Demands Live Broadcast of Jeon Du-hwan's First Trial Verdict

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Party of the Democratic Party of Korea has demanded a live broadcast of the first trial sentencing of Jeon Du-hwan.

On the 25th, the Democratic Party's Gwangju City Party strongly insisted in a statement that the first trial sentencing scheduled for the 30th regarding Jeon Du-hwan's defamation of the late Father Cho Bi-o should be broadcast live.

The Gwangju City Party emphasized, "This trial is not simply a case of defamation between private individuals," and added, "It is the 'trial of the century' judging the forces that took the lives of ordinary citizens and stained Gwangju with blood in May 1980 for the purpose of seizing power."

They continued, "Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates that trials and judgments must be open to the public," and said, "According to the 'Rules on Court Attendance and Filming,' even without the defendant's consent, if the public interest is greater, the court's decision allows the entire nation to vividly confirm the sentencing results without attending the courtroom."

Furthermore, they stated, "The verdict on Jeon Du-hwan on the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement this year will be a 'historic trial' that can uncover the truth about May 18," and added, "Considering the high domestic and international interest in this trial, the possibility of inaccurate information and misinterpretations arising from the lack of live broadcast means that the public interest value of broadcasting live is much greater."