Lee Jae-myung, Kim Young-hwan on 'Gwangju Insult' Remarks: "The True Face of the People Power Party, the Main Actor of the Gwangju Massacre"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, criticized Kim Young-hwan, former Supreme Council Member of the United Future Party (currently People Power Party), who called the decision to provide 100,000 KRW support to May 18 Gwangju meritorious persons starting July "vulgar politics that insults the spirit of Gwangju," saying it is "the true face of the People Power Party, the main perpetrator of the massacre of innocent civilians in Gwangju who has taken no responsibility."

On the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement on the 18th, Governor Lee wrote in a post titled "Is the support fund for independence meritorious persons an insult to the independence movement?" that "the People Power Party, which claims that the small livelihood support fund paid to May 18 Gwangju meritorious persons?an amount ridiculously insufficient compared to other national meritorious persons?is an insult to Gwangju, is actually the main perpetrator of the Gwangju massacre who has taken no responsibility," and added, "The People Power Party, which pretends to apologize just to gain votes, shows its true colors."

Earlier, former Supreme Council Member Kim Young-hwan pointed out on Facebook that "Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province decided to provide a monthly livelihood support fund of 100,000 KRW to May 18 democratic meritorious persons or their families within Gyeonggi Province," and said, "This is an insult to the spirit of Gwangju and an insult to the meritorious persons."

Kim, who was recognized as a May 18 democratization movement meritorious person in 2003, returned his meritorious person certificate last month in protest against the ruling party's 'Democratic Meritorious Persons Treatment Act.'

He further stated, "Since when has Gwangju become a political exhibition space where tens of thousands gather for the eve ceremony?" and added, "Those who bowed their heads today were mostly silent on that day, and although they kneel at the Gwangju cemetery, they are already intoxicated with power or enslaved by regional sentiments."

In response, Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized former Supreme Council Member Kim on Facebook, saying, "The blade should be directed at Chun Doo-hwan."

Min started by saying, "I hear nonsense from (former Supreme Council Member Kim) at the Mangwol Cemetery on the May 18 anniversary," calling it "an outrageous slander."

He continued, "Former Supreme Council Member Kim criticizes Gyeonggi Province’s support fund for May 18 meritorious persons as vulgar politics that insults the spirit of Gwangju," and pointed out, "The People Power Party, rooted in the Chun Doo-hwan military regime, and its former Supreme Council Member are making nonsensical criticisms invoking the spirit of Gwangju."

Furthermore, he lamented, "Using such methods to attract attention and 'trade in media' is a lowly foul play," and added, "I am angry at the repeated political exploitation of Gwangju and May 18, and this is exactly what vulgar politics means."

Min also explained the background of Governor Lee Jae-myung’s decision to provide support funds to May 18 democratization movement meritorious persons.

He said, "The support fund from Gyeonggi Province is not a sudden matter," and added, "It was a promise made by Governor Lee Jae-myung when he met with May 18-related organizations last November, and keeping that promise to support and honor meritorious persons who are struggling financially?is this something to be criticized as vulgar politics as former Supreme Council Member Kim claims?"

In particular, he evaluated, "Although the amount is small, Gyeonggi Province’s support fund is a 'fair' measure to eliminate discrimination," and explained, "Currently, other national meritorious persons receive pensions or allowances, but May 18 meritorious persons receive no financial support at all, so many suffer from financial hardship and difficult circumstances."