5·18 Foundation Mediates Between Public Law Organizations and Civic Groups Through 'Citizen Participation Deliberation'

Mediation of May and Civic Group Conflicts Through Citizen Participation

Review and Provide Direction on the Five Principles for Resolving May 18 Issues

The 5·18 Memorial Foundation proposed a 'citizen participation public discourse' to mediate conflicts between May 18 organizations and local civil society.

On the morning of the 31st, the 5·18 Memorial Foundation held a press conference at the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, proposing public deliberation with citizen participation.
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

On the 31st, the 5·18 Memorial Foundation held a press conference at the May 18 Memory Archive in the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, stating, "To seek a new direction for the future-oriented concept and succession of the May 18 spirit, we are creating a place to gather citizens' opinions."

The foundation explained that since the public declaration by the public law organizations, the May 18 Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association and the Meritorious Persons Association in February, it has taken on the role of mediating conflicts with civic groups, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of May 18.

The foundation said, "Ahead of the 5·18 memorial ceremony, with the intention of preventing further conflicts, we arranged a meeting where public law organizations and civic groups could confirm each other's positions," adding, "There is a conflict between the public law organizations, who want to expedite the fact-finding with the Special Forces Comrades Association and have jointly declared this, and the civic groups, who insist that a genuine apology must come first and have discarded the joint declaration."

It continued, "Along with mediating conflicts, it is necessary to establish new standards for the 'Five Principles for Resolving May 18' and conduct a comprehensive review," emphasizing, "We must establish arrangements regarding fact-finding, punishment of those responsible, restoration of honor, compensation and reparation, and commemorative projects."

Accordingly, the foundation proposed "a citizen participation public discourse to discuss the 'truth and responsibility' and 'subjects' of May 18," appealing, "Let us gather the wisdom of the citizen community and move toward a new future."

Although the specific method of citizen participation public discourse proposed by the foundation has not been detailed, it is known to be a forum where various individuals and groups from all walks of life can participate and anyone can speak.

Won Soon-seok, chairman of the 5·18 Memorial Foundation, said, "I believe we need to create an environment that actively discusses May 18 and then take steps to create the conditions for it," adding, "We will specify the parts the foundation can lead and play a catalyst role in solving the issues."