Jung Hoyoung Appointment Withdrawn After 5 Hours, But Controversy Continues
Democratic Party Gwangju Election Committee: "Denial of Democratic History"
"Announcement Made During May 18 Memorial Period... Insult to Gwangju Citizens"
Although the attempt by Kim Moonsoo's election committee to appoint a key figure responsible for the 5·18 massacre as a senior advisor was withdrawn, strong criticism is continuing in the Gwangju region, with many saying, "This is already an admission of destroying democracy."
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo is speaking after the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting and appointment letter ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, appointed Jung Hoyoung, former Minister of National Defense and a central figure in the military operations during the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, as a standing advisor to his election committee the previous day. In response, the "Real Republic of Korea Gwangju Election Committee" issued a statement on the 15th, urging an apology and resignation, saying, "This is self-evidence that the organization is a body that destroys constitutional order and democracy."
Jung Hoyoung, the former minister, is known as one of the five key figures in Chun Doohwan's new military regime and led the martial law troops that commanded the massacre of citizens in May 1980. The Gwangju election committee stated, "Countless lives were lost under his orders, and the streets were stained with blood," and defined him as "an enemy of democracy and a symbol of state violence."
The appointment announcement was withdrawn after about five hours due to intense public backlash. The Gwangju election committee commented, "Although it was hastily withdrawn, Kim Moonsoo has already revealed who he truly is."
The election committee particularly pointed out that this appointment took place during the 45th anniversary memorial period of the 5·18 Democratization Movement. They strongly criticized, "This is not only a matter of distorted historical awareness, but also a deliberate insult to the citizens of Gwangju," adding, "This is not simply a personnel mistake, but a regrouping of forces that seek to destroy constitutional order."
They also noted that the actions of Kim Moonsoo's election committee are in line with the controversy over the illegal martial law review that arose during the Yoon Sukyeol administration. The committee stated, "The People Power Party, which defended Yoon Sukyeol's martial law attempt as 'inevitable,' and Kim Moonsoo's election committee, which has even brought in a key figure responsible for the 5·18 crackdown, are nothing more than a command center for the massacre of democracy."
The Gwangju election committee urged, "Kim Moonsoo, who has denied the history of Korean democracy protected by the sacrifices of democratization activists, must immediately kneel and apologize to the citizens of Gwangju, the bereaved families, and all citizens who believe in democracy."
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