Gwangju Groups Condemn Kim Moonsoo's Appointment of '5·18 Perpetrator' as Campaign Advisor, Calling It Destruction of Democracy (Comprehensive)

Jung Hoyoung Appointment Withdrawn After 5 Hours, But Controversy Remains
Democratic Party Gwangju Election Committee: "Denial of Democratic History"
May 18 Organizations: "A Direct Challenge to 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

Although the Kim Moonsoo campaign's attempt to appoint a key figure responsible for the 5·18 massacre as a presidential advisor has been withdrawn, strong criticism continues in the Gwangju region, with many saying that "this amounts to an admission of destroying democracy."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, appointed Jung Hoyoung, former Minister of National Defense and a central figure responsible for military operations during the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, as a senior advisor to his election campaign committee the previous day. In response, the "Real Republic of Korea Gwangju Election Committee" issued a statement on the 15th, saying, "This proves that the committee is an organization that destroys constitutional order and democracy," and called for an apology and resignation.

Jung Hoyoung, the former minister, led the martial law troops and commanded the massacre of civilians in May 1980. He is considered one of the five key members of Chun Doohwan’s new military regime. The Gwangju committee stated, "Countless lives were lost under his orders, and the streets were stained with blood," adding, "He is an enemy of democracy and a symbol of state violence."

The appointment was withdrawn about five hours after the announcement, as public backlash intensified. The Gwangju committee stated, "Although the withdrawal was rushed, Kim Moonsoo has already revealed who he truly is."

The committee especially noted that this appointment was made during the 45th anniversary memorial period of the 5·18 Democratization Movement. They criticized, "This is not only a problem 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 pointed out that the actions of Kim Moonsoo's campaign 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 attempt at martial law as 'inevitable,' and the Kim Moonsoo campaign, which 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 committee urged, "Kim Moonsoo, who has denied the history of Korean democracy safeguarded by the sacrifice of democratization activists, must immediately kneel and apologize to the citizens of Gwangju, the bereaved families, and all democratic citizens."

Jung Hoyoung, former Minister of National Defense. Photo by Yonhap News

The May 18 Memorial Foundation and the three official May organizations (Bereaved Families Association, Meritorious Persons Association, and Injured Persons Association) also issued a statement on this day, strongly criticizing, "It is truly shocking that the People Power Party's Kim Moonsoo campaign appointed Jung Hoyoung, the chief commander of the martial law troops during the 5·18 Democratization Movement, as a senior advisor, only to hurriedly withdraw the appointment amid a surge of public criticism."

The organizations stated, "Jung Hoyoung is one of those responsible for the 5·18 tragedy, having led the martial law troops in the violent suppression of Gwangju citizens," and pointed out, "Appointing such a person to a high-level advisory position is an insult to the history of 5·18, its victims, and their families, and a direct challenge to democracy."

They further added, "Kim Moonsoo must personally apologize for this attempted appointment and hold those responsible accountable," and emphasized, "Clear standards and principles must be established to ensure that those who deny or distort the 5·18 Democratization Movement can never again find a place in politics."