Gwangju City Council Member Jung Da Eun Calls for Comprehensive Investigation into 'Fake May 18 Victims'

Gwangju City Council Member Calls for Full Investigation of "Fake May 18 Victims"
Compensation Not Recovered Despite Confirmation of Survival
Report Reveals Structural Problems and Negligence Within the Commission

Da-eun Jung, Gwangju City Council Member.

The May 18 Democratization Movement Fact-Finding Commission (hereafter referred to as the Commission) is facing controversy over the failure to recover compensation payments totaling hundreds of millions of won, after it was revealed that the Commission confirmed the survival of some individuals registered as missing persons from the May 18 Democratization Movement but did not promptly notify Gwangju City. Amidst this, a Gwangju City Council member has called for a comprehensive investigation into 'fake May 18 victims.'

On September 2, Da Eun Jung, a member of the Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Buk-gu District 2), stated, "A decisive action is needed for Gwangju," urging for swift measures.

The Commission reportedly confirmed the survival of three missing persons from the May 18 Democratization Movement during a reinvestigation but failed to notify Gwangju City, resulting in compensation payments totaling hundreds of millions of won not being recovered. Among them, two are reportedly still alive.

If someone is found to be a false missing person from May 18, immediate corrective action and recovery of compensation payments should be taken. However, the Commission overlooked this, and compensation payments ranging from 100 million to 150 million won have yet to be recovered. Although the Commission recorded the facts in its comprehensive report, it did not take any specific follow-up action.

A report titled "Basic Research for Analysis of the May 18 Fact-Finding Commission’s Activities," conducted by the Chonnam National University Honam Studies Institute in May, documented serious structural issues within the Commission.

During the investigator selection process, academic and regional connections were excessively prioritized over expertise, the unique nature of May 18-related issues, and investigative commitment. This led to confusion in the organizational hierarchy and a lack of professionalism during the investigation process.

Furthermore, even the investigation principles and plans were not communicated to the investigators, and there was no standardized method for recording investigation details, which further increased confusion. Moreover, it was revealed that some investigators were intentionally negligent in their duties or obstructed progress, yet there was no way to discipline them.

Jung pointed out, "These structural problems affected the Commission’s overall activities and made it difficult to uncover the truth," adding, "The lack of action regarding false missing persons is a clear example of how seriously flawed the Commission’s operations were."

She continued, "As the poorly managed Commission faces dissolution, it has neglected even the minimum necessary actions, providing grounds for distortion and disparagement of May 18. Through a comprehensive investigation, false victims must be clearly identified, and follow-up measures such as the recovery of compensation payments must be implemented."

Jung emphasized, "Gwangju must not miss this opportunity to uphold the May 18 spirit and set the historical record straight," adding, "All members who served on the Commission must now come forward and make a confession of conscience to fulfill their minimum duty to the spirits of May and the citizens."