"Chun Doo-hwan Bought Loyalty with Money"… US Security Documents Released

Included in the 5·18 Archive Records Series

Security documents from U.S. intelligence agencies have been disclosed, revealing that during the December 12 military coup, Chun Doo-hwan and other New Military Group forces spent large sums of money to restore loyalty within the military and justify their actions.

According to the May 18 Democratic Movement Archives on the 4th, the archives published Volume 3 of the "May 18 Democratic Movement Records Series" on November 30 last year.

The series contains secret documents declassified by U.S. intelligence agencies, donated by American journalist Tim Shorrock in 2017, translated by Shin Dong-il, an investigator of the May 18 Truth Commission. It reflects the U.S. government's perspective on Korean affairs from the December 12 military coup in 1979 to the May 18 Democratic Movement in 1980.

Key Figures of the December 12 Military Coup New Military Group

Additionally, security documents prepared by intelligence agents conducting espionage in Korea during December 12 and the U.S. Embassy in Korea included content that helps understand the main motives and processes of the military coup.

A cable sent by the U.S. Embassy in Korea to the U.S. Secretary of State on December 13, 1979, analyzed that "the December 12 military coup undoubtedly arose from the New Military Group's lust for power, the arrogance of young officers who believed they could do better than the old guard, and revenge for President Park Chung-hee's death."

Along with stating that "the December 12 military coup was a complete coup d'?tat," the New Military Group leading the coup was described as "a group of young Turk officers."

Intelligence also revealed that the New Military Group spent large amounts of money after the coup to restore hierarchy and loyalty within the military. The U.S. Embassy in Korea reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff that Chun Doo-hwan paid monthly activity funds to his loyal subordinates and spent significant sums to justify the December 12 military coup and his subsequent actions.

Lee Jae-ui, a senior member of the May 18 Truth Commission who reviewed the series, said, "Given that most domestic documents were distorted or fabricated by the New Military Group, the U.S. government documents have historical value," adding, "Although there are limitations in that it only covers the U.S. perspective, it contains meaningful information that cannot be found in domestic documents."