Korean Party: "Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn's 'What Incident' Is Not Referring to the May 18 Democratic Movement"

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is visiting Yurim Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Liberty Korea Party has issued a clarification regarding the controversy surrounding party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn's remarks that appeared to belittle the May 18 Democratic Uprising by calling it "some kind of incident," stating that he was not referring to the May 18 Democratic Uprising.

On the 9th, Hwang visited his alma mater, Sungkyunkwan University, and during a conversation with a nearby snack shop owner, he said, "In 1980, there was some kind of incident. I remember the school was closed then." This remark sparked criticism as it described the nationwide university closures during the May 18 Democratic Uprising as "some kind of incident," which was seen as belittling the democratic movement.

In response, the Liberty Korea Party explained in a press release on the 11th that "the content Hwang mentioned referred to the university closure order issued on May 17, 1980, which made it impossible to attend university," and added, "He was recalling the memory of universities having to close amid the chaotic political situation at the time."

They further stated, "Forcibly linking his remarks to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, distorting the issue as a matter of historical awareness, and inciting regional animosity through negative attacks is the illegal dissemination of false information," and warned, "We will take strong legal action against any future dissemination of false information and defamation."

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