Jeon Du-hwan, Accused of Defaming Father Jobio, Heads to Gwangju Ahead of the 40th Anniversary of May 18

On the 27th, three weeks before the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, former President Jeon Du-hwan, who is scheduled to appear in the Gwangju court on charges of defaming the late Father Jo Bi-o, is leaving his residence in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Former President Jeon Du-hwan (89) headed to Gwangju to attend a trial ahead of the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. It has been over a year since he last appeared at the Gwangju District Court on March 11 of last year, charged with defaming the late Father Cho Bi-o.

At around 8:25 a.m. on the 27th, former President Jeon left his home in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, to attend the trial held at the Gwangju District Court. Wearing a dark blue suit, a fedora, and a mask, former President Jeon got into his vehicle accompanied by his wife, Lee Soon-ja (82). Although dozens of reporters were waiting, he did not say a word. It is known that he suffers from Alzheimer’s and other conditions, but he was seen walking on his own without assistance.

The trial of former President Jeon will be held at 2 p.m. that day in Criminal Courtroom 201 of the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Jeong-hoon of Criminal Division 8. In 2017, in his memoir "Era of Chaos," former President Jeon referred to Father Cho, who testified to witnessing helicopter gunfire during the May 18 Democratic Uprising, as a "shameless liar unworthy of being called a clergyman," leading to charges of defamation of the deceased and a trial the following year. The trial scheduled for that day will include renewal of trial procedures due to a change of presiding judge and an identity verification examination of the defendant. Criminal defendants are required to attend the first trial session where identity verification is conducted and the sentencing session.

Meanwhile, as news spread that former President Jeon was heading to the Gwangju District Court, protesters gathered from 7 a.m. The police deployed about 500 officers from seven companies to prepare for any incidents. Groups such as the May 18 Detained and Injured Association protested on the left side of the former president’s residence, holding signs demanding "Reinvestigation of Jeon Du-hwan, the commander who ordered the May 18 massacre." They shouted slogans like "Arrest Jeon Du-hwan" and sang the "March for the Beloved." On the right side of the residence, members of the Free Korea Patriotic Corps held a rally supporting former President Jeon, using loudspeakers to claim "There was no helicopter gunfire." There was no physical clash between the two groups.

On the same day, the May 18 Memorial Foundation and the three May organizations (the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Detained and Injured Association) moved the statue of Jeon Du-hwan, which had been installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, to the entrance of the Gwangju District Court’s civil affairs office to hold a protest demanding strict punishment. The statue of Jeon Du-hwan was created by May 18 Democratic Uprising-related groups in December 2019, marking the 40th anniversary of the December 12 military coup. The statue depicts former President Jeon kneeling while wearing a burial shroud.

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