5·18 Organizations and Special Forces Society Force 'National Declaration Ceremony'... Controversy Erupts in Various Places

Opposition Rally by Bereaved Families and Civic Groups... Event Reduced to Half

Controversy Over Surprise Visit to Democratic Cemetery and Partial Cancellation of Event

Organizers: "Martial Law Troops Are Also Victims" · Opponents: "Truth In

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The 5·18 Victims Association and the Meritorious Persons Association went ahead with the 'Special Forces Comrades Invitation Event' as scheduled amid local community backlash.

However, there are criticisms that the event was only half-hearted, as 113 civic groups centered around the Bereaved Families Association, one of the three May 18 organizations, and the Gwangju Progressive Solidarity held a protest rally opposing the event, preventing the intended meaning of 'inclusion and harmony' from being fully conveyed.

On the 19th at around 11 a.m., the 5·18 Victims Association and the Meritorious Persons Association held a "Joint National Declaration Ceremony" at the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju, inviting about 150 members of the Special Forces Comrades Association.

On the 19th at around 11 a.m., the 5·18 Victims Association and the Meritorious Persons Association held a 'Joint National Declaration Ceremony' together with the Special Forces Comrades Association at the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

The event was attended by about 300 people, including Hwang Il-bong, president of the Victims Association, Jeong Seong-guk, president of the Meritorious Persons Association, Choi Ik-bong, chairman of the Special Forces Comrades Association, and Jeon Sang-bu, president of the Special Forces Comrades Association. It proceeded with progress reports, encouragement speeches and congratulatory remarks, declaration reading, and declaration signing ceremonies.

Through the joint declaration, these organizations emphasized that the actions of the martial law troops had unavoidable aspects as soldiers who follow the principle of strict obedience and should be regarded as 'victims' rather than 'perpetrators.'

They proposed a direction to walk the path of national unity from a magnanimous perspective, pledging to inherit and develop the spirit of the democratization movement and to regularize joint visits annually to the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and the National Seoul National Cemetery.

However, the meaning of the event was diminished as the Bereaved Families Association did not participate, stating that 'truth investigation and a sincere apology must be made,' and some programs could not be properly held.

The 'Mother-Child Pairing Ceremony' between Mrs. Im Geun-dan, mother of the first civilian death in 5·18, and Im Seong-rok, a former officer of the Airborne Unit, was disrupted due to the absence of the bereaved families.

While this historic meeting could have symbolized forgiveness and harmony, Mrs. Im reportedly visited the 'Gwangju Meditation House' located in Buk-gu on the same day.

The '5·18 Eome' choir, which was to open the event, was also canceled due to the absence of the Mothers' Choir who guarded the Provincial Government Building.

The military song 'Black Beret,' sung by Special Forces soldiers in the form of a victory song after massacring citizen soldiers and capturing the old Jeonnam Provincial Government Building, and the 'March for the Beloved,' symbolizing the democratization movement, were also omitted from the program.

At times, the situation resembled a past military operation. After the declaration ceremony in the morning, the Victims Association, Meritorious Persons Association, and Special Forces Comrades Association planned to pay respects at the 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in the afternoon.

However, upon learning that civic groups planned rallies at the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center at 10 p.m. and at the Democratic Cemetery at 2 p.m., they made a surprise visit to the cemetery at 10 a.m. only. The group performed flower offerings and incense burning but did not visit individual graves.

Regarding this, a representative from a 5·18 organization expressed frustration, saying, "How can they stand before the May 18 spirits wearing blood-stained military boots and berets, paying respects as if conducting a military operation in May 1980?"

On the morning of the 19th, 113 civic groups including the Gwangju Progressive Alliance protested in front of the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, opposing the 'Joint National Declaration Ceremony' organized by the 5·18 Meritorious Persons Association and the Contributors Association.
[Photo by Jin-Hyung Park]

Before the 'Joint National Declaration Ceremony,' strong movements to block the event took place from 10 a.m. in front of the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center.

One hundred thirteen civic groups, including the Gwangju Progressive Solidarity, held a 'Pan-Citizen Rally to Protect the May Spirit,' condemning, "Forgiveness and reconciliation can only come after the perpetrators (martial law troops) have reflected on themselves and confessed their conscience." Some members of the Bereaved Families Association also attended this rally.

They demanded, "We strongly request the two organizations that are damaging the noble May spirit through reconciliation without apology to cancel the national declaration and apologize."

Eventually, protesters lay down on the ground at the entrance to the event venue, holding placards and shouting, "Martial law troops, get out!"

Throughout the rally, loud arguments and physical altercations broke out between groups with opposing views, and there were several clashes with police officers trying to intervene.

At the declaration ceremony, remarks by Choi Ik-bong, chairman of the Special Forces Comrades Association, sparked controversy.

In his greeting, Chairman Choi said, "I pay tribute to the dedication of the military seniors who were dispatched under orders and tasked with maintaining order in Gwangju," and added, "The efforts and sacrifices of the Special Forces seniors who carried out the order to restore order must not be distorted or underestimated."

Due to the military nature of the forces, they act under orders, but Chairman Choi's description of the mission as 'maintaining order' aligns with the far-right groups' view of the 5·18 as a riot, according to 5·18 organizations.

Organizers from the 5·18 Victims Association and Meritorious Persons Association stated, "The joint national proclamation ceremony with the Special Forces Comrades Association and the visit to the Democratic Cemetery are the first steps toward forgiveness and harmony between 5·18 victims and the martial law troops at that time."

A representative from a 5·18 organization said, "With the Bereaved Families Association, one of the May 18 groups, declaring non-participation demanding truth investigation and sincere apology, and the May Mothers' House and civic groups strongly criticizing it as a 'fake political show,' the event became meaningless beyond just a half-hearted one."