Yoon Seok-yeol's 'Jeon Du-hwan Defense Remarks' Spark Outrage Across Various Sectors

Democratic Party, Justice Party, Progressive Party Urged to Apologize...Press Conference Demanding Political Retirement

May Organizations 'Call for Apology'...Citizens Criticize "Candidate Yoon Is Inconsistent"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential primary candidate, is facing strong backlash in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions over his remarks defending former President Jeon Du-hwan.

On the 19th, during a visit to the People Power Party members' council in Haeundae-gu, Busan, Candidate Yoon said, “Although President Jeon Du-hwan made mistakes, many say that except for the military coup and the May 18 incident, his politics were good,” adding, “There are quite a few people in Honam who say the same. That’s because he left it to the experts,” sparking controversy.

Immediately following these remarks, fierce criticism from political circles, organizations, and citizens ensued.

Members of the Democratic Party of Korea from Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk held a press conference at the National Assembly’s Press Hall.

They stated, “Candidate Yoon’s remarks are outrageous statements that should never be made to the still-living victims and families of the May 18 incident, and to the reasonable citizens of the Republic of Korea,” and “We condemn Candidate Yoon’s ‘Jeon Du-hwan praise’ remarks and urge him to resign from the presidential race.”

They continued, “In July, Candidate Yoon staged tears while paying respects at the May 18 cemetery, and in October, he wrote ‘I will not forget May 18.’ When he was Prosecutor General, he also said, ‘Engrave the historical significance of the Gwangju Democratization Movement and the spirit of sacrifice for democracy,’ and as a young law student, Yoon Seok-yeol once demanded the death penalty for Jeon Du-hwan in a May 18 mock trial, calling it a ‘serious crime against the constitution.’”

They added, “We do not know what Candidate Yoon’s true intentions are,” and emphasized, “The People Power Party, as a political party, must take responsibility for Candidate Yoon’s outrageous remarks, apologize, and prepare measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

The Justice Party’s Gwangju Metropolitan City branch also issued a statement saying, “It has become clear to all that the People Power Party presidential candidates have deceived and betrayed the citizens of Gwangju.”

They asked, “Do they truly think that Jeon Du-hwan, who massacred Gwangju citizens and trampled democracy 40 years ago, was a good politician?” and “Do the bereaved families and citizens of Gwangju, who still carry horrific memories, say such things?”

They further noted, “Less than a month ago, Candidate Yoon visited Gwangju with Candidate Hong Joon-pyo and bowed before the spirits of May,” and criticized, “We cannot help but ask how Candidate Yoon evaluates Jeon Du-hwan and the past dictatorship regimes.”

The Progressive Party is also reportedly planning a press conference titled ‘Do you want to become like Jeon Du-hwan? Yoon Seok-yeol should apologize and retire from politics.’

The May 18 organizations previously issued a statement demanding, “Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who defended Jeon Du-hwan, the mastermind behind the May 18 Democratization Movement massacre, must immediately apologize.”

The organizations said, “In 2019, Kim Soon-rye, Kim Jin-tae, and Lee Jong-myung, members of the Liberty Korea Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, distorted May 18 in the National Assembly and hurt the bereaved families and the public,” adding, “We remember that Kim Jong-in, then the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, knelt and apologized before the spirits of May 18 at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery for the remarks of those three lawmakers and the behavior of some members of the United Future Party who damaged the spirit of May 18.”

They continued, “Nevertheless, we cannot help but ask whether the People Power Party truly remembers the May 18 Democratization Movement as a part of the history of Korean democracy and sincerely apologizes to the spirits of May and the citizens of Gwangju,” emphasizing, “Candidate Yoon must immediately apologize for his outrageous remarks defending Jeon Du-hwan, and the People Power Party must officially apologize to the May 18 organizations and the public and present measures to prevent recurrence.”

Other candidates from the People Power Party also sharply criticized the remarks as “cheap historical awareness and pathetic leadership philosophy,” and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, said, “Do not insult the spirits of Gwangju and the people of Honam.”

Citizens of Gwangju also expressed disbelief at Candidate Yoon’s remarks.

Kim Hyun-mo (49) said, “The image of Candidate Yoon visiting the May 18 Democratic Cemetery, touching the tombstones and shedding tears, has been revealed to be nothing but a show,” and criticized, “Candidate Yoon should not respond with excuses or explanations but needs to apologize for his wrong remarks.”

Meanwhile, Candidate Yoon clarified on social media, “What I intended to say yesterday was that ‘If I become president, I will appoint experts and talented people in each field to the right places so that they can fully demonstrate their capabilities,’ and ‘I will operate the government systemically so that outstanding talents in each field can fully utilize their abilities and skills.’”