Citizens Met at Jongno, the 'Political Hub'... Targeting Candidate Yoon, "Who Did You Learn Politics From?" Disappointed
Gwangju Hometown Citizens Angry, "Some Honam Like Jeon Du-hwan?... Nonsense"
Yoon Seok-yeol States, "I Clearly Said 5·18 and Military Coup Were Wrong"
On the afternoon of the 19th in the Jongno area of Seoul, citizens encountered on the street strongly criticized the so-called defense remarks of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, regarding Jeon Du-hwan. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "My hometown is Gwangju, so who on earth would say such a thing!", "You really learned politics in a dirty way!"
On the 19th, Yoon Seok-yeol, a leading presidential candidate from the People Power Party, sparked controversy by making remarks that seemed to defend Jeon Du-hwan. Citizens met in the Jongno area of Seoul, known as the political hotspot, expressed critical opinions about Yoon, saying things like "It's absurd," "What are you talking about Jeon Du-hwan for?" and "Is this the official stance of the People Power Party?" Some citizens stood on the street for a long time voicing their criticism of Yoon. While they appreciated his competitiveness against the ruling party, many pointed out that he had crossed the line.
A man in his late 50s, a worker whom we met near a restaurant next to Nakwon Arcade, said, "I lived in Gwangju for a long time," and raised his voice, "Yoon Seok-yeol said that even in Honam, some people speak positively of Jeon Du-hwan, but in my experience living in Gwangju, I've never heard such words." He added, "If he does that, it seems like he is politically giving up on Honam and focusing entirely on Gyeongnam. Is that the attitude of a presidential candidate?" he criticized.
Another worker in his 50s, Mr. Kim, said, "In my view, this is a clear case of 'regional division,' stirring up regional sentiments and creating 'us versus them'... Did Yoon Seok-yeol learn this kind of politics? He only learned what should not be learned in politics," he pointed out. He added, "The People Power Party should issue an official apology."
Meanwhile, harsh criticism also poured out. A citizen in his 40s targeted Yoon, saying, "Isn't he mentally ill? How can anyone praise Jeon Du-hwan when there is no one to praise?" He expressed outrage, saying, "I understand there is a movement to re-evaluate Park Chung-hee, but now are they trying to re-evaluate Jeon Du-hwan?"
A college student in his 20s, Mr. Lee, emphasized, "I learned that Jeon Du-hwan was a mass murderer, so I don't understand the meaning of selectively learning only his merits."
Summarizing the opinions of citizens met in the Jongno area, many critical views suggested that Yoon's remarks praising Jeon Du-hwan practically stirred a hornet's nest.
While Jeon Du-hwan may have had achievements during his presidency, the process leading up to his inauguration and the illegal investigations during the democratization movement caused immense suffering for the people at the time. In fact, the May 18 organizations have officially called for an apology from Yoon.
Citizens met in Jongno criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential pre-candidate, for his remarks defending Jeon Du-hwan, saying they were "absurd" and "incomprehensible." Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr
Earlier, on the 19th, Yoon visited the People Power Party's Haeundae Gap branch office in Busan and said, "President Jeon Du-hwan made mistakes, but except for the military coup and May 18, many say he did well in politics. Quite a few people in Honam say so as well."
He continued, "Why do they say he did well? Because they entrusted him. He was in the military and managed organizations, so they entrusted him. The politicians at the time said, 'You who know the National Assembly well should handle it,' and handed over most things... There was the '3 lows' phenomenon at the time, but because they entrusted him, things went well," he emphasized.
Yoon also stressed that if he becomes president, he will manage the system and run the political situation. He said, "If I become president, I will select the best talents regardless of region or origin, place them in the right positions, and manage the system." He added, "Governing is difficult. Even economic experts don't know everything because the economy has many fields. We need to put forward the best experts without selfish interests to help the people," he reiterated.
He also said, "While investigating economic and political powers, I have learned as much as ordinary citizens, but I cannot do everything with just a little knowledge," adding, "I will appoint the best experts, manage the system, communicate with the people as president, and focus only on the agenda that needs attention. I will correct only what tramples on law and common sense."
Leading presidential candidate of the People Power Party, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol [Image source=Yonhap News]
After Yoon's remarks became known, the May 18 organizations condemned them as 'absurd remarks' and demanded an apology. The May 18 Memorial Foundation and the three May organizations (Bereaved Families Association, Injured Association, and Detained Injured Association) stated in a press release, "Yoon Seok-yeol, who defended Jeon Du-hwan, the mastermind of the May 18 massacre, made remarks that tarnish the honor of Gwangju and Honam citizens," and demanded, "Apologize immediately for these absurd remarks."
The organizations said, "We remember that Kim Soon-rye, Kim Jin-tae, and Lee Jong-myung, members of the People Power Party's predecessor, the Liberty Korea Party, distorted May 18 in the National Assembly in 2019 and hurt the bereaved families and the people," and emphasized, "The People Power Party should also officially apologize to the May organizations and the people and present measures to prevent recurrence."
The Honam political circle of the Democratic Party also strongly opposed the remarks. The Democratic Party's Gwangju branch issued a statement condemning Yoon's remarks as disparaging Honam. The Gwangju branch criticized, "Yoon Seok-yeol's claim that Honam defended Jeon Du-hwan's politics is an absurd remark that cannot be overlooked," adding, "During Jeon Du-hwan's rule, Honam suffered not only political discrimination but also economic discrimination, leading to underdevelopment."
They also pointed out, "How many people in Honam would praise and glorify him during the harsh Jeon Du-hwan era?"
Meanwhile, as the controversy spread, Yoon explained at the People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Office in Changwon, Gyeongnam, in the afternoon, "He made many mistakes during his seven years in power, and it is not that he did well in politics overall," adding, "The point about learning from the delegation of authority is something that later presidents and experts say, and some people in Honam also say this." He clarified, "What was done well was done well, and I clearly said that May 18 and the military coup were wrong. Whenever I speak, people take parts out of context, but if you look at the full text, everything is there."
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