"Don't Know About May 18 North Korean Involvement": Truth and Reconciliation Chair Faces Flood of Resignation Calls in Gwangju (Comprehensive)

Gwangju City: "Malicious Distortion and Misrepresentation of Historical Truth"
Democratic Party: "Will File Charges Under the May 18 Distortion Law"
May Organizations: "Anti-Historical Abuses Must Not Be Repeated"

Park Sunyoung, chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is leaving the plenary session of the Administrative Safety Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 24th after being ordered to leave due to her response regarding the 'May 18 North Korean military involvement theory.' Photo by Yonhap News

The city of Gwangju, local politicians, and May organizations have called for the resignation of Park Sunyoung, chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, after she answered "I don't know" to a question regarding possible North Korean involvement in the May 18 Democratization Movement.

On the 25th, the city of Gwangju issued a statement, saying, "Chairperson Park caused a major stir at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee the previous day by insisting, 'There is controversy, but I don't know the details,' regarding the May 18 North Korean military involvement theory." The statement emphasized, "'The May 18 North Korean military involvement theory' has been proven to be fabricated by Chun Doohwan, Ji Manwon, and others, according to the Supreme Court ruling and the investigation results of the May 18 Fact-Finding Committee."

The statement continued, "Nevertheless, for Chairperson Park to claim ignorance about the contents of the 'May 18 North Korean military involvement theory' is a malicious distortion of the truth about May 18 and amounts to an admission that she is unqualified for her position. How can the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who bears the grave responsibility of uncovering the truth about state violence, so shamelessly distort historical truth?"

The city added, "Chairperson Park must stop being the vanguard of May 18 distortion, and immediately apologize and resign before the May 18 democracy martyrs, who sacrificed themselves in a desperate struggle against unjust state violence, as well as before the public. This is the solemn command of the people who saved democracy from the 12·3 rebellion."

The Gwangju branch of the Democratic Party of Korea also warned that if Park Sunyoung, chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who distorted the May 18 Democratization Movement, does not resign, they will file a complaint against her.

At a press conference held at the Gwangju City Council that day, the party stated, "Chairperson Park Sunyoung answered, 'I don't really know about that part,' when asked about the May 18 North Korean military involvement theory," and criticized, "This is a serious distortion of history and an insult to democracy."

The statement continued, "The Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement prohibits the distortion and dissemination of false information regarding May 18, and allows for criminal punishment in case of violations. Chairperson Park's remarks are on a serious borderline that could constitute a violation of the law, and are a great wound and insult to the citizens of Gwangju."

May organizations also called for the immediate dismissal of Park Sunyoung, chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, for defending the May 18 North Korean military involvement theory.

The three official May 18 organizations (the Association of the Injured, the Association of Meritorious Persons, and the Bereaved Families Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation issued a joint statement that day, saying, "Chairperson Park Sunyoung revealed a distorted perspective by stating, 'I understand there is such controversy,' regarding the May 18 North Korean military involvement theory."

They also emphasized, "The anti-historical abuses of former chairperson Kim Kwangdong must not be repeated," and "The government must declare that it will not appoint anyone who distorts or disparages the May 18 Democratization Movement or defends state violence to any public office."