Democratic Party Gwangju Branch: "Daegu Maeil Newspaper Must Show Responsible Attitude for '5·18 Defamation'"

Photo published in Daegu Maeil Newspaper's cartoon on the 19th (right) and a citizen being brutally beaten by martial law troops during the May 18 incident (left). Photo by SNS

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Metropolitan City Party of the Democratic Party of Korea has urged Daegu Maeil Newspaper, which is embroiled in controversy for publishing a cartoon depicting a photo of a citizen being brutally beaten by martial law troops during the May 18 Democratic Movement, to apologize.

On the 21st, the Democratic Party Gwangju City Party stated in a press release, "Daegu Maeil Newspaper's cartoon damages the spirit of May 18."

The city party pointed out, "The daily newspaper Maeil Newspaper, based in Daegu, published a cartoon on its March 19 issue that depicted a photo of a citizen being brutally beaten by martial law troops in Gwangju in May 1980," adding, "It portrayed the martial law troops beating Gwangju citizens as the current government's property tax and comprehensive real estate tax policies, likening the government to trampling on its people."

They continued, "While policy criticism and freedom of expression must be guaranteed, there are always limits," emphasizing, "Citing the Gwangju massacre committed by the Chun Doo-hwan military regime to criticize policies is a highly inappropriate approach that wounds the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement and its victims."

Furthermore, they said, "Last year, when COVID-19 rapidly spread in Daegu, Gwangju citizens opened their hearts to accept Daegu's confirmed cases and overcome the pain together, but this act drove a nail into that goodwill," adding, "The citizens of Gwangju are outraged by the recent insult to the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement, which occurred shortly after the National Assembly passed the three May 18-related laws that punish distortion and defamation of the movement, reflecting the wishes of the entire nation."

In addition, they stressed, "Moreover, the fact that this is not the first time Daegu Maeil Newspaper has insulted May 18 is an even bigger problem."

The Democratic Party Gwangju City Party stated, "On August 23 last year, the newspaper also caused controversy by publishing a cartoon depicting a photo of martial law troops beating citizens," and added, "In such circumstances, Daegu Maeil Newspaper quietly deleted the cartoon without any apology and consistently ignored the issue, and that irresponsible behavior is even more disappointing."

They concluded, "We strongly urge Daegu Maeil Newspaper to issue an official apology and establish measures to prevent recurrence for insulting the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Movement," and "Now is the time for the media outlet to show a responsible attitude."