[Jeon Du-hwan Death] Ruling Party Honam Lawmakers "Murderer Jeon Du-hwan, Strongly Oppose State Funeral"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 23rd, members of the Democratic Party of Korea and independent National Assembly members representing constituencies in Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk stated regarding the death of former President Jeon Du-hwan, "It is absolutely unacceptable that the murderer Jeon Du-hwan, who brutally massacred the people by mobilizing the military and lived a life of luxury until his death, receives a state funeral honor simply because he was a former president."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

They held a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon and said, "Rather than mourning the deceased, feelings of emptiness and resentment come first."

They criticized, "Jeon Du-hwan showed no remorse or apology until his last moment, and anger rises at the fact that the court can no longer punish him. With the death of Jeon Du-hwan, the main culprit of the rebellion massacre, the opportunity to reveal the truth about the May 1980 helicopter shootings has also disappeared." They added, "Historical responsibility must be held accountable," and urged, "The court should not end with 'dismissal of indictment' but deliver a just verdict in Korean history through a strict search for the truth."

They strongly opposed the state funeral and burial in the National Cemetery for the former president.

They said, "Fortunately, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has stated that under the National Cemetery Act, those who have been sentenced for crimes such as rebellion are excluded from burial in the National Cemetery," and evaluated this as "a natural measure." They emphasized that state funeral honors must never be given.

They stated, "Jeon’s state funeral is not a matter of possibility or impossibility," adding, "It is a matter of judgment on the murderer who trampled the people with guns and knives and a historical condemnation through punishment of absolute evil." They continued, "We deeply regret that the state funeral law was not promptly amended before Jeon Du-hwan’s death, the main culprit of the rebellion massacre," and said, "Now, legally, the decision on Jeon Du-hwan’s state funeral will be made by the government through deliberation by the State Council. Regarding this issue, we hope it will not be swayed by the machinations of some collaborators who, like candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, admire Jeon Du-hwan."

The press release was signed by National Assembly members Kim Seong-ju, Kim Su-hong, Kim Seung-nam, Kim Won-i, Kim Yoon-duk, Kim Hoe-jae, Min Hyung-bae, Seo Dong-yong, Seo Sam-seok, So Byung-chul, Song Gap-seok, Shin Young-dae, Shin Jeong-hoon, Ahn Ho-young, Yang Hyang-ja, Yoon Young-duk, Yoon Jae-gap, Yoon Jun-byeong, Lee Gae-ho, Lee Byung-hoon, Lee Sang-jik, Lee Yong-bin, Lee Won-taek, Lee Hyeong-seok, Jo O-seop, Joo Cheol-hyun, and Han Byung-do, who represent constituencies in Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk.