Ji Man-won Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for 'May 18 North Korean Troop Involvement' Allegation

May Group "Strict Punishment Needed"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Supreme Court confirmed a two-year prison sentence for Ji Man-won, who has disparaged the May 18 Democratic Uprising by claiming the involvement of North Korean troops, prompting May 18 organizations to voice their approval.

According to the May 18 Memorial Foundation on the 12th, May 18 organizations (May 18 Democratic Uprising Victims Association, Association of Families of Democratic Patriots, Association of Contributors to the Democratization Movement) issued a statement saying that strict punishment for the distortion of May 18 is necessary.

On the same day, the Supreme Court upheld the original court's sentence of two years imprisonment for defendant Ji Man-won and a fine of 5 million won for defendant Son Sang-dae.

The organizations emphasized, "Ji Man-won referred to Gwangju citizens who participated in the May 18 Democratic Uprising as ‘North Korean special forces’ and spread false information through his homepage," adding, "Ji Man-won has disseminated the theory of North Korean troop involvement in May 18 through various channels such as books, websites, and YouTube."

They continued, "The Supreme Court twice ruled on damages related to publications: on December 13, 2018, ordering Ji Man-won and Newstown to pay 82 million won in damages, and on September 26, 2019, ordering damages for defamation against Ji Man-won for publishing and distributing books distorting and disparaging the May 18 Democratic Uprising."

Furthermore, they stated, "However, Ji Man-won continues to repeat false claims regardless, and the court asserts that social isolation is necessary even if he is elderly due to the distortion and disparagement of May 18."

They added, "This ruling serves as a warning to Ji Man-won and those attempting to claim North Korean troop involvement or label it as a riot, repeatedly distorting the facts," and "We hope this ruling, which signifies the end of distortion and disparagement of May 18, strongly warns those who have maliciously distorted and disparaged May 18 and serves as an opportunity for their reflection."