Jeon Du-hwan's Grandson: "My Grandfather Was Brainwashed as a Hero of Democracy"

"Teach the Gwangju Democratization Movement as a Riot"

Jeon Woo-won, the grandson of the late former President Jeon Du-hwan, said on the 16th, "I was taught within the family that my grandfather was a hero of democracy and a father figure."

In an interview with KBS on the same day, Woo-won stated, "I was indoctrinated to believe that the (May 18) Gwangju Democratization Movement was a riot and a rebellion instigated by communists." Regarding how he came to think of his grandfather as a mass murderer, he added, "I learned it as I lived my life." Previously, Woo-won had referred to his grandfather Jeon Du-hwan as a "mass murderer" through social networking services (SNS).

Woo-won said, "As I engaged in social life, I came to realize the crimes of my family," and "The more I learned, the more certain I became that they are criminals." He also said, "I learned what justice and righteousness are," and "All the family members around me are criminals who take human life lightly." Woo-won further stated, "I was brainwashed by the education they taught," and "After living through it, I realized it was true brainwashing."

Jeon Du-hwan, along with former President Roh Tae-woo, bore the heavy historical burden of the December 12 military coup and the bloody suppression of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, but unlike Roh, he never issued an apology. Instead, his brazen remarks provoked public outrage.

After his resignation, Jeon Du-hwan was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges including rebellion and murder, but was released in December 1997 through a special pardon. Later, in a 2003 broadcast interview, he showed no remorse by stating, "Gwangju was a riot armed with firearms."