Gwangju Political Circles 'Furious' Over Remarks by Hwang Kyo-ahn, Liberty Korea Party Leader

'80nyeon Museun Sattae'... Assembly Members Song Gap-seok, Yang Hyang-ja, Kim Seong-hwan, Jo O-seop, and Lee Yong-bin 'Call for Apology'

From the left in the photo: Candidate Song Gap-seok, Yang Hyang-ja, Kim Seong-hwan, Jo O-seop, and Lee Yong-bin

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, referred to the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement as the "1980 something incident," prompting the political circles in Gwangju to demand an apology.

According to Representative Song Gap-seok on the 10th, Hwang, the leader of the Liberty Korea Party, said at a meeting with reporters the previous day, "In 1980, there was some kind of incident, right? I remember schools were closed and things like that."

In response, Representative Song stated, "Is the May 18 Democratization Movement just a 'something incident' that happened in 1980 to Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the main opposition party?" He urged, "This is a manifestation of a vulgar historical consciousness regarding the May 18 Democratization Movement. He must immediately apologize to the citizens of Gwangju and the spirits of May."

He continued, "Last May, Hwang said, 'I will visit Gwangju and meet citizens until the wounds of Gwangju are healed and the hearts of the citizens are opened.' This has now been revealed as nothing but empty words," adding, "The reason disciplinary actions against the three Liberty Korea Party members who made outrageous remarks about May 18 were not taken is ultimately due to the party leader's historical perception of May 18. It was confirmed that the party leader's will suppressed the public's demand for their expulsion and instead protected them."

He further stated, "This year marks the 40th anniversary of May 18, and with bipartisan agreement, the Truth Investigation and Clarification Committee has been launched. The desire of Gwangju citizens and the public for a complete truth investigation is more urgent than ever," adding, "Hwang's ignorant remarks, which show a lack of historical awareness about May 18, deserve public condemnation."

Yang Hyang-ja, a Democratic Party preliminary candidate for the National Assembly election in Seo-gu (Eul), Gwangju Metropolitan City, said, "It is deplorable that the leader of the main opposition party refers to the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement as an 'incident' like the Fifth Republic forces," adding, "This is likely why many citizens are calling for the opposition party's judgment in this general election."

Kim Seong-hwan, a preliminary candidate for Gwangju Dongnam (Eul), also pointed out, "Hwang Kyo-ahn's attitude toward May 18 and Gwangju in 1980 is a clear example that he lacks the qualifications of a political leader who should embrace and transcend history and the times," calling it "a regression of history and a typical politician who should disappear."

He emphasized, "He must immediately apologize to the spirits of May 18 and the bereaved families."

Jo Oh-seop, a preliminary candidate for Gwangju Buk-gu (Gap), condemned, "I feel a seething anger at Hwang's shameless historical consciousness, referring to the 1980 May 18 Democratization Movement as 'some incident.'"

He added, "There is not a single person in South Korea who remembers 1980 without thinking of the May 18 Democratization Movement," emphasizing, "Referring to the May 18 Democratization Movement as 'some incident' is an act of insulting the May spirits resting in the Mangwol Cemetery and the citizens of Gwangju."

Lee Yong-bin, a preliminary candidate for Gwangju Gwangsan (Gap), also demanded an apology, saying, "This year is the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, a very important and meaningful year in which the spirit of May 18 must be included in the preamble of the Constitution," adding, "Hwang's 'incident' remark denies history and insults the citizens of Gwangju. His obsession with far-right politics will only distance him further from public support."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.