5·18 Democratization Movement Truth Investigation Committee Holds Meeting
Bus Driver: "I Am So Sorry I Can't Even Face You"
Bereaved Families: "It Was Extremely Difficult"
At around 10 a.m. on the 19th, Bae Mo, involved in the death of a police officer from Hampyeong Police Station, is paying respects at the victim's grave at the Seoul National Cemetery. Park Deok-nim, the spouse of the late Jeong Chung-gil, is standing in front of his grave, crying for about three minutes and unable to leave the spot. Photo by Oh Gyu-min moh011@
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] “I feel sorry and apologetic to the bereaved families, and I have no words to say. I am sorry.”
The bereaved families and the person involved in the incident where four police officers from Hampyeong Police Station died during the May 18 Democratic Uprising held a time of apology and reconciliation.
On the 19th, the May 18 Democratic Movement Truth Investigation Committee (Chairman Song Seontae, hereinafter ‘May 18 Investigation Committee’) held a meeting event for ‘Apology and Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Integration’ together with them at the Police Memorial Tower in the National Seoul National Cemetery.
Before the event, the person involved, Mr. Bae, and the police bereaved families offered incense in front of the Police Memorial Tower and then moved to the gravesites of the victims to pay respects to the four fallen police officers. Mrs. Park Deoknim, the spouse of the late Jeong Chunggil, cried for about three minutes in front of his gravesite and could not leave. Passing by her, Mr. Bae gently touched the tombstone, showing a gesture of asking for forgiveness.
At the main event, Mr. Bae sat face to face with the bereaved families and said, “I wish the (accident) scene would appear even in my dreams, but I just cannot recall it. I am so sorry that I cannot even raise my head.”
At around 10 a.m. on the 19th at the Seoul National Cemetery, Bae Mo, involved in the death of a police officer from Hampyeong Police Station, and Jeong Won-young, son of the late Jeong Chung-gil, are embracing each other. Photo by Oh Gyu-min moh011@
Jeong Wonyoung, son of Mr. Jeong, said, “I don’t want to say all the responsibility lies with Mr. Bae, but it was extremely difficult,” adding, “Mr. Bae’s apology should not be the whole, and those truly responsible must also apologize.”
Mrs. Park said, “I lived through long years painfully and under false accusations, so I didn’t want to meet,” but added, “Mr. Bae wanted to do this, so he came.” She continued, “I wonder if he really wanted to do this willingly,” and added, “Please stay healthy.”
According to the May 18 Investigation Committee, at around 9:30 p.m. on May 20, 1980, a protester bus driven by Mr. Bae entered the Labor Office, and four officers from Hampyeong Police Station, who were forming a formation to block the entry, lost their lives and seven were injured. Mr. Bae was sentenced to death in the first trial but was commuted to life imprisonment and later released by special pardon.
Mr. Bae testified that the accident occurred in a situation where tear gas entered the bus, making it impossible to open his eyes.
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