5·18 Injured Association Withdraws Disciplinary Action Against Chairman Hwang Ilbong at Temporary General Meeting

5·18 Minju Movement Injured Association to Handle 13 Agenda Items at General Meeting on 11th

Unanimous Withdrawal of Dismissal Disciplinary Proposal... Chairman Hwang Ilbong Reinstated

Current Executive Vice Chairman and All Directors No Confidence... Dismissal Measures Taken

Vice Chairman Moon Jongyeon: "This General Meeting is Invalid... Legal Action Under Review"

The Construction Method Association 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association held an extraordinary general meeting on the 11th and revoked the disciplinary action against Chairman Hwang Il-bong, who was dismissed last year, reinstating him, while also passing a vote of no confidence against the vice chairman and directors.

The 518 Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association is holding a temporary central general meeting on the afternoon of the 11th at the 518 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

The 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Persons Association held an extraordinary central general meeting on the afternoon of the 11th at the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. The proposal to revoke all disciplinary actions against executives and members disciplined since March 20, 2022, was unanimously approved by attendees, and the proposal to revoke the disciplinary action against former Chairman Hwang Il-bong was also unanimously approved.

According to Article 16 of the Disciplinary Operation Regulations, disciplinary actions must be finalized through resolutions by the Disciplinary Review Committee, the board of directors, and the general meeting. However, the Injured Persons Association stated that no general meeting had ever been held, which was the reason for this. Additionally, although the bylaws specify that the disciplinary subject must be given sufficient opportunity to present their case, no such opportunity was provided.

With the disciplinary action revoked, Chairman Hwang Il-bong has been reinstated to the Injured Persons Association and is expected to lead the 5·18 Injured Persons Association for the time being.

At the meeting, motions of no confidence were also passed against Vice Chairman Moon Jong-yeon, Vice Chairman Moon Jae-nam, Secretary-General Lee Yoon-joo, and directors Moon Seung-hoon, Park Seok-hwan, and Oh Jeong-sook.

Although they should assist the chairman and take the lead in improving members' welfare, they were subjected to the no-confidence motions because they were accused of colluding with a certain Mr. Lee, who is suspected of being an unofficial power broker, suspending the chairman’s duties, and driving the association’s operations into chaos.

According to Article 32 of the bylaws, the central general meeting can pass a no-confidence resolution against executives specified in Article 27, Paragraph 1, by a majority vote of the members present, provided that a majority of the general meeting members are in attendance.

If an executive receives a no-confidence vote, they are dismissed.

Additionally, motions to dismiss members of the Disciplinary Committee and the Election Management Committee were all unanimously approved.

However, Vice Chairman Moon Jong-yeon’s side does not recognize this meeting and plans to take legal action. Vice Chairman Moon stated, "On the afternoon of the 13th, I visited a lawyer’s office to review legal measures," adding, "This general meeting is invalid due to reasons such as lack of quorum, and I do not recognize the reinstatement of Chairman Hwang Il-bong. We will hold an election to select a new chairman for the vacant position of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Association chairman."