Kang Gijeong Criticizes Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs: "Can't Call Main Culprit of Rebellion? Is This Like Hong Gildong?"

Strong Criticism of Pressure on 5.18 Organizations for "Political Neutrality"
On Social Media: "The Height of Anachronism and Misjudgment"

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung strongly criticized the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for pressuring 5.18 organizations, which had condemned the cancellation of President Yoon Suk-yeol's detention, by invoking political neutrality.

Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju

On the 8th, Mayor Kang stated on his social media (SNS), "The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs made pressuring phone calls to the 5.18 organizations, emphasizing the obligation of political neutrality," and pointed out, "This is the height of anachronism and misjudgment."

He sarcastically remarked, "Are they telling us not to call the main culprit of the rebellion what they are? Are they trying to turn us into Hong Gil-dong from the Joseon era, who could not even call his own father and brother by name?" He continued, "I deeply regret such actions," and emphasized, "We must unite fully and stand in solidarity without regret. Only then can we protect and win."

Previously, the three major 5.18 organizations and the 5.18 Memorial Foundation issued a joint statement on the 7th, saying, "The decision to cancel the detention of the main culprit of the rebellion is a direct challenge to justice," and criticized it as "a measure that denies judicial justice and seriously undermines democracy." In response, at around 10 p.m. the same day, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs sent an official document to the 5.18 organizations titled "Re-notification of the Obligation to Maintain Political Neutrality."

It was reported that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs made several phone calls to 5.18 organization officials, pressuring them not to engage in political activities and requesting the original statement. There was also testimony that the "Yongsan Presidential Office" was mentioned during this process. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs claimed the legitimacy of its intervention on the grounds that "the main culprit of the rebellion has not been confirmed by the court."