'Defamation of Lion' Charge Jeon Du-hwan Heads to Gwangju for Sentencing Trial... Swears at Protesters Saying "Watch Your Words"

Former President Jeon Du-hwan is leaving his residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, to attend the first trial sentencing hearing for defamation of the deceased at the Gwangju District Court on the 30th. Former President Jeon was indicted for defamation for criticizing Father Jo Bi-o, who testified to witnessing helicopter gunfire during the May 18 incident, in his autobiography as "a shameless liar unworthy of being called a priest." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Former President Jeon Du-hwan (89), who is accused of defamation of a deceased person against a witness of the May 18 helicopter shooting, headed to Gwangju to attend the first trial sentencing.

On that day, former President Jeon left his home in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul at around 8:42 a.m. and got into a waiting car to depart for Gwangju. His wife, Lee Soon-ja (82), accompanied him on the trip. Wearing a black suit, a fedora, and a mask, former President Jeon raised his hand toward the people gathered in front of his house.

Hundreds of protesters, reporters, and police had gathered early in the morning in front of his residence, waiting for his departure to Gwangju. Unlike the two previous court appearances at the Gwangju District Court in March last year and April this year, where supporters held intense protests using loudspeakers demanding "Do not attend the trial," no such scenes were seen this time. Just before getting into the car, protesters related to the Gwangju democratization movement shouted "Arrest Jeon Du-hwan in court" and "Apologize to the nation." Former President Jeon reportedly responded to the protesters, saying, "Watch your words, you bastard." The police set up a police line around the residence and prepared for any incidents, but no significant clashes occurred.

The first trial sentencing for former President Jeon will be held at 2 p.m. that day in Criminal Courtroom 201 at the Gwangju District Court. He was indicted for defamation for criticizing Father Cho Bi-o, who testified in his 2017 memoir that he witnessed helicopter shootings by the military during the May 18 period, calling him "a shameless liar unworthy of being called a priest." The prosecution requested the court to sentence Jeon to one year and six months in prison at the sentencing hearing held on the 5th of last month.

The main issue in the trial is whether helicopter shootings actually occurred in Gwangju during the May 18 period. The prosecution and Father Cho’s family argue that the National Forensic Service found bullet marks on the 10th floor of the Jeonil Building, the tallest building in Gwangju, which strongly suggests helicopter shootings, and that the Ministry of National Defense’s May 18 Special Investigation Committee officially confirmed the military helicopter shootings. On the other hand, Jeon’s side claims that if helicopter shootings had occurred in downtown Gwangju, there should have been many more witnesses, and that there is a lack of objective evidence. Jeon, who is known to suffer from Alzheimer's disease, appeared in court last April and denied the charges, stating, "As far as I know, there was no shooting from helicopters."