Court Rejects Ji Man-won's Appeal to Ban Publication and Distribution of '5·18 Distortion Book'

'475 Azaleas of Mudeungsan in Bukjoseon 5·18 Arirang'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The objection to the provisional injunction banning the publication and distribution of the book that defames and distorts the May 18 Democratic Uprising was not accepted.

According to the May 18 Memorial Foundation on the 3rd, the 21st Civil Division of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Shim Jaehyun) dismissed the objection filed by author Ji Manwon against the provisional injunction banning the publication and distribution of 'North Korea May 18 Arirang Mudeungsan Azalea 475 Flowers.'

The court reportedly judged on February 19 that this book disparages the group related to the May 18 Democratic Movement, including nine creditors (May 18 Memorial Foundation, Association of Families of Democratic Patriots, Association of Disabled Democratic Movement Participants, Association of Detained and Injured Participants, and individuals), as well as all participants of the May 18 event, fostering prejudice and undermining the social values and evaluation of Gwangju citizens.

Previously, the court issued a provisional injunction ordering that for each violation of publishing, issuing, printing, reproducing, selling, distributing, and advertising the book, the author must pay 2 million KRW per violation to the nine creditors.

The author, Mr. Ji, filed an objection on March 2, and after a hearing on March 24, the court delivered the decision to the creditors on July 30.

After reviewing all of Mr. Ji’s objection procedures and supporting materials, the court still determined that the provisional injunction application by the creditors (May 18 organizations and individuals) against the debtor (Ji Manwon) demonstrated the existence of the right to be preserved and the necessity of preservation.

The court cited Article 203-3 Paragraph 2 and Article 203 Paragraph 1 Item 3 of the Civil Execution Rules as is, and ordered that the costs arising from the objection be borne by Mr. Ji.

Meanwhile, the foundation announced in May that it had investigated the status of the book’s placement in university libraries nationwide. The May 18 Memorial Foundation and May 18 organizations are preparing for the civil trial of Professor Park Hoontak, who distorts the May 18 event.