'5·18 Nightmare' Parents Say "Afraid of Martial Law, Can't Send Children to School"

Jeonnam Parents Still Shocked and Angry Despite 6-Hour Lift
Provincial Office of Education Maintains 'Normal Operation' of School Attendance

"It is shocking itself. The nightmare of May 18 resurfaces, and I cannot send my child to school. Martial law in 21st century Republic of Korea? I spent the night wide awake with anger and fear."

Parents in the Jeonnam region are engulfed in shock and anger following President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law.

Kim, a parent (30, female), said on the 4th, "The nightmare of May 18, when innocent students were even shot under martial law, came to mind, and I trembled all night with shock and fear. I am too scared to let my child go outside, let alone to school. Fortunately, the martial law was lifted after six hours, but I still feel uneasy."

Another parent expressed, "The May Gwangju I heard about from my parents during childhood was horrific. Tanks entering the city center and guns pointed at citizens gave me chills. President Yoon Seok-yeol’s declaration of martial law, claiming to protect the people's freedom and happiness, has driven us into fear."

A private kindergarten in Jeonnam is conducting normal classes following the lifting of the martial law. Photo provided by reader

Fortunately, the emergency martial law was lifted after six hours, but some parents are refusing to send their children to school and are voicing their concerns to the education office.

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education held an emergency countermeasure meeting to discuss school attendance, academic schedules, and curricula at all levels. During the meeting, the office shared updates on the declaration and lifting of martial law overnight and guided frontline schools to operate normal curricula and attendance according to Ministry of Education directives.

Superintendent Kim Dae-jung stated, "Students and staff must have been greatly startled by the sudden declaration and lifting of martial law. Since the situation has already ended, please continue to operate the scheduled academic calendar and curriculum without disruption."

President Yoon, in an emergency statement the previous night, declared martial law, saying, "To protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate pro-North anti-state forces who are robbing our people's freedom and happiness at once, and to uphold the free constitutional order."

Subsequently, the declaration of martial law was lifted after six hours when the National Assembly passed a resolution demanding its repeal.