May 18 Organizations and Gwangju Civil Society Issue Statement
"Sending Official Letter Is an Act to Suppress Group Activities"
Official letter sent by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to the three May 18 organizations. Provided by the reader
The May 18 organizations and the Gwangju civil society have called for an apology from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, which sent an official letter to the May organizations demanding 'compliance with the obligation of political neutrality' after they issued a statement criticizing the cancellation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's arrest warrant.
The three official May 18 organizations (Bereaved Families Association, Injured Persons Association, Meritorious Persons Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation released a statement on the 11th regarding the Ministry's demand for 'political neutrality,' stating, "The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs must officially apologize to the May 18 organizations and the people."
The organizations stated, "It is only natural for the May organizations, who have trauma from martial law, to oppose the release of those who initiated illegal martial law," and added, "After reviewing the 'Act on the Honorable Treatment of May 18 Democratic Meritorious Persons and the Establishment of Related Organizations' and our own bylaws as presented by the Ministry, we found that there has never been any support for or opposition to a particular political party or candidate for public office. Therefore, this statement is unrelated to the obligation of political neutrality."
They continued, "Nevertheless, the Ministry's act of sending an official letter late at night demanding compliance with political neutrality is an attempt to suppress the legitimate activities of the May 18 organizations."
The Gwangju Civil Society Association also issued a statement on the same day, declaring, "We condemn the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs for trying to silence the legitimate claims of the May 18 organizations in defense of democracy."
The association emphasized, "If the issue was truly about political neutrality, such objections should have been raised many times before," and added, "It is only natural for the May activists who resisted Chun Doo-hwan's illegal martial law to raise their voices out of concern for the regression of democracy, and this is an action in line with historical justice."
They also stated, "In what way is criticizing the illegal cancellation of detention for a dangerous person who is undermining democracy a violation of political neutrality?" and argued, "In fact, it is the Ministry that has violated the obligation of political neutrality."
Additionally, "If the Ministry has pressured the May organizations using financial support as a reason, the local civil society will not tolerate it," and added, "The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs must immediately apologize for trying to silence those who are striving to save democracy in crisis." they concluded.
Meanwhile, regarding this issue, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs stated in a press release on the 9th, "Veterans organizations that receive government support, including the May 18 organizations, are obligated to comply with the prohibition of political activities as stipulated in their bylaws," and explained that the sending of the official letter was a routine administrative procedure.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
