Democratic Party Gwangju Branch: "Jeon Du-hwan Without Reflection and Apology Must Be Punished for Serious Crimes"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Party of the Democratic Party of Korea stated, "Jeon Du-hwan, who shows no remorse or apology, must be punished for his serious crimes."

On the 30th, the Democratic Party's Gwangju City Party said in a statement, "The Gwangju District Court sentenced Jeon Du-hwan, who was prosecuted for defaming the late Father Cho Bi-o in relation to the May 18 Democratic Movement, to '8 months in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence.' Although the ruling is somewhat disappointing, it is a 'historic trial' that came after 1,314 days since the complaint and 943 days since the indictment, waiting for the past 40 years."

While it is only natural that the court recognized for the first time the helicopter shootings by Jeon Du-hwan's forces in May 1980, the decision to give Jeon Du-hwan a suspended sentence does not meet the expectations of the public.

The Gwangju City Party stated, "Gwangju suffered tremendous sacrifices because of Jeon Du-hwan, yet he showed no remorse and maintained an arrogant attitude throughout the trial," and added, "The court should have enforced just law by imposing strict criminal punishment on the arrogant Jeon Du-hwan."

Furthermore, they said, "The conservative opposition parties aligned with Jeon Du-hwan must show a clear stance on this ruling," and added, "True reconciliation with Gwangju lies not in mere verbal cooperation on May 18-related bills but in sincere legislative cooperation."