5·18 Group: "Jeon Du-hwan's Death Cannot Bury the Truth"

The three organizations of May 18 Democratic Meritorious Persons (the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Detained Injured Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation are holding an urgent joint press conference around 11:30 a.m. at the May 18 Archive of the May 18 Memorial Foundation in Seo-gu, Gwangju.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] The May 18 organizations issued an official statement regarding the death of Jeon Du-hwan, strongly expressing their opposition to a state funeral and burial in the National Cemetery.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation and May 18 organizations (Families Association, Injured Association, Detained Injured Association) held an emergency joint press conference at the May 18 Archive of the May 18 Memorial Foundation in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, stating, "Jeon Du-hwan, the mastermind behind the overthrow of the state and the May 18 massacre, and the person responsible for the civilian massacre, died without an apology," and added, "We will definitely hold the perpetrators of the May 18 massacre accountable and clearly reveal the criminal acts of the eternal traitor Jeon Du-hwan to establish historical justice."

The organizations evaluated, "Jeon Du-hwan, who deceived the people and the judiciary of the Republic of Korea with continuous lies and distortions, lived a disgusting life by insulting and belittling the May 18 spirits through his memoirs instead of reflecting and apologizing."

They continued, "The massacre perpetrator Jeon Du-hwan consistently insisted on pitiful excuses and evasion of responsibility, claiming he was unrelated to May 18," adding, "Due to delayed trials, he ultimately died as a criminal without receiving historical judgment during his lifetime."

They also stated, "We have strongly urged Jeon Du-hwan’s confession, repentance, and severe punishment by the judiciary. We had hoped the trial would be a 'historical judgment' that severely holds accountable those responsible for trampling on the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea and massacring innocent citizens, but with his death, even this hope has been lost."

Furthermore, the organizations declared that regardless of Jeon Du-hwan’s death, they will continue to strive for the truth regarding major suspicions surrounding May 18, including responsibility for the shooting and the secret burial of victims.