[Summary] "How can it be when the condemnation is not over"... 'No Tae-woo State Funeral' Reveals 5·18 Wounds

State Funeral for Late Former President Roh Tae-woo to Proceed for Five Days
"Accomplice in Massacre, Criminal with Charges of Rebellion" Strong Backlash from Gwangju
Many Achievements Including Acceptance of Direct Elections and Northern Diplomacy, but Significant Faults
Son's 'Proxy Apology' Controversy and Insufficient Posthumous Apologies
Ruling Party: "Jeon Du-hwan Will Not Receive State Funeral"

On the 27th, when the government decided to hold the state funeral for the late former President Roh Tae-woo over five days, citizens are paying their respects to the deceased at the state funeral altar set up at the An Byeong-geun Olympic Memorial Judo Gymnasium in Dalseo-gu, Daegu. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The government’s decision to hold a state funeral for the late former President Roh Tae-woo has sparked strong opposition from Gwangju lawmakers and civic groups. While the government intends to honor the deceased’s achievements, such as his 'Northern Diplomacy,' it faces rejection from Gwangju, which bears the historical wound of the 'May 18 Democratic Movement military suppression.'

◆Government Decides to Hold Former President Roh’s State Funeral Over Five Days

On the 27th, the government held a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, to review and approve the 'State Funeral Plan for Former President Roh Tae-woo.' The state funeral will be held over five days, from the 26th to the 30th. However, burial in the National Cemetery will not be conducted in accordance with relevant laws.

The government’s decision to hold a state funeral for the former president appears to be in recognition of his public contributions. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Prime Minister Kim said, "The government will hold this funeral as a state funeral to honor the deceased’s achievements together with the people and ensure proper respect. We express our deep condolences on the passing of former President Roh and extend our sincere sympathies to his bereaved family."

Former President Roh, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison for participating in a past military coup plot and holding key roles but was later granted a special pardon, has been legally disqualified from burial in the National Cemetery.

However, the state funeral is a different matter. According to Article 2 of the current State Funeral Act, a state funeral is to be held upon the death of a former or incumbent president or president-elect, without mention of whether the individual committed serious crimes.

◆"A Criminal Sentenced to a Heavy Punishment"?Immediate Opposition from Gwangju Lawmakers and Civic Groups

In response to the government’s decision, ruling party lawmakers representing Gwangju and civic groups related to the May 18 movement immediately voiced their opposition. On the 27th, Gwangju Democratic Party lawmakers issued a joint statement saying, "As one of the responsible parties who brutally massacred the May 18 Democratic Movement with guns and knives, and with historical judgment still unresolved, it is unacceptable to grant state funeral honors solely because he was a former president."

The appearance of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery Zone 1 and the Memorial Tower in Buk-gu, Gwangju, in 2019. / Photo by Yonhap News

The Gwangju May 18 Democratic Merit Families Association, the Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association, the Detained and Injured Persons Association, and other May 18-related groups in Gwangju also criticized the deceased in a statement, describing him as "an accomplice in the massacre of Gwangju citizens, convicted of treason and bribery, and sentenced to a heavy punishment," expressing "strong regret over the government’s decision."

Gwangju City also decided not to observe honors such as flying the national flag at half-mast or setting up a memorial altar during the state funeral period. While respecting the government’s decision on the state funeral, this signifies that the citizens of Gwangju do not agree with it.

◆Ruling Party: "Amend Law to Prevent Former President Chun Doo-hwan from Receiving a State Funeral"

There are concerns that the wounds of May 18 remain deep and vivid, making it impossible to cover up the deceased’s faults and let history pass quietly. Former President Roh had achievements such as accepting the direct presidential election system through the June 29 Declaration and attempting 'Northern Diplomacy' to improve relations with the former Soviet Union and North Korea. However, he was also one of the leaders responsible for the violent suppression of Gwangju citizens during May 18.

Criticism has also been raised over the insufficient apology for the incident. Former President Roh never directly knelt before the Gwangju citizens who were victims of May 18. The bereaved had to find some consolation in the fact that his son, Roh Jae-heon, visited the graves of May 18 victims three times and bowed his head.

Former Presidents Roh Tae-woo (left) and Chun Doo-hwan attending the verdict trials of December 12 and May 18 in 1996. /Photo by Yonhap News

Only in a posthumously released will did former President Roh express an apology, stating, "If there were any responsibilities or faults on my part regarding the painful aspects of the May 18 victims and the various events that occurred during my tenure afterward, I hope for generous forgiveness."

Amid ongoing controversy over the state funeral for the deceased, the ruling party emphasized that "it is more important to prevent a state funeral for former President Chun Doo-hwan than for former President Roh."

On the 27th, at the memorial altar for former President Roh’s state funeral, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "As the leader of the Democratic Party, I will amend the law to prevent such an event from happening in the case of Chun Doo-hwan." He added, "Chun, who was convicted of murder for the purpose of rebellion and other charges, still does not show remorse, continues to tarnish Gwangju’s honor, and is undergoing trial. We will amend the law so that such a person cannot receive a state funeral."