Special Forces Comrades Association: "Military Morale Destroyed by Rebellion... Stop Making Cowardly Excuses"

"National Crisis"... About 20 People Pay Tribute at the May 18 Cemetery
Emphasis on Including May 18 Spirit in the Constitution for National Unity
"Revealing the Truth Is the Way to Protect the Last Honor"

On the 19th, more than 20 people, including Jeonsangbu, permanent advisor of the Special Forces Veterans Association, advisor Im Seongrok, Secretary General Lee Jaegyu, and former 5·18 Wounded Veterans Association president Hwang Ilbong, paid respects at the burial site of the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

The Special Forces Comrades Association paid tribute to the spirits of May in commemoration of the second anniversary of the joint public declaration with the two official organizations of the May 18 Special Law (the Association of the Injured and the Association of Meritorious Persons).

The tribute, held on the 19th at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, was attended by about 20 people, including Senior Advisor Jeon Sangbu, Advisor Lim Seongrok, Secretary-General Lee Jaegyu of the Special Forces Comrades Association, and former President of the May 18 Injured Association Hwang Ilbong.

The ceremony proceeded in the following order: floral tribute and incense offering, memorial prayer by Pastor Park Byungjoo of Open Church, reading of the declaration, and visiting the graves.

On the 19th, Jeon Sangbu, the standing advisor, wrote in the guestbook at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, "To the spirits of 5·18, I pray you rest in eternal peace." Photo by Min Chanki

Before the tribute, Senior Advisor Jeon Sangbu wrote in the guestbook, "Spirits of May 18, I pray for your eternal rest."

Advisor Lim Seongrok stated in his address, "Two years ago, despite severe opposition, we held a meaningful event in which victims forgave perpetrators for the sake of national unity in the Republic of Korea," and emphasized, "Due to the December 3 rebellion, the Republic of Korea is facing its greatest crisis."

He continued, "Special forces, which exist to defend the Republic of Korea, have become the subject of public criticism as political soldiers used the military for personal advancement and power seizure," and pointed out, "The foolish rebellion of an unwise military commander-in-chief has shattered the morale of our armed forces and left us facing a security crisis due to internal division."

He added, "Commanders of the Special Forces and all units must take the lead in revealing the truth without cowardly excuses or concealing facts, in order to restore the morale and honor of the military, and must faithfully cooperate with investigations," saying, "Such actions are the way to protect the last honor as a soldier."

Hwang Ilbong, former President of the May 18 Injured Association, stated, "Although the joint public declaration has been nullified, it is important for the national interest to adopt an attitude of mutual forgiveness and reconciliation that transcends political interests such as progressives and conservatives," and added, "This year, the spirit of May 18 must be included in the preamble of the Constitution through unity."

On this day, members of the Special Forces visited the graves of Park Gwanhyun, who was the president of the Chonnam National University Student Council during May 18, Yoon Sangwon, known as the spokesperson of the citizen army, and Choi Mi-ae, who was pregnant at the time.

Meanwhile, in 2023, the Special Forces Comrades Association faced conflict with the local community as it promoted a joint public declaration with some May 18 organizations. Although the joint declaration was nullified in September last year, the association continues to visit the democratic cemetery individually to offer apologies.