No Tae-woo's Son: "Father Was Heartbroken Over 5.18... Memoir Is Not Sincere"

No Jae-heon, the eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] No Jae-heon, son of former President Roh Tae-woo, said, "(My father) was always deeply pained whenever the topic of the May 18 Democratic Uprising came up, especially about the parts where things happened that should never have occurred." Regarding former President Roh's memoirs, which described the cause of the May 18 Democratic Uprising as rumors, he said, "My father's true feelings were not reflected," and stated that he plans to revise them.

No appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 23rd and said about former President Roh, "He has been bedridden for over 10 years, and has been unable to speak or move for quite some time," adding, "(The May 18 event) was always a heavy topic. (Before his illness) he was not a person who spoke much, and he did not say a lot, but in my memory, whenever the topic of May 18 came up, he was always deeply pained about the parts where things happened that should never have occurred."

He continued, "Regarding May 18, there were many incidents where the nation was divided due to false news such as North Korean troops being involved, which was not true. So he often expressed very regretful feelings."

No also said, "Basically, my father always believed he bore infinite responsibility for history," and added, "So regardless of what role he played in Gwangju or May 18, he never once tried to evade his responsibility. Therefore, he accepted the enactment of the May 18 Special Act and the judicial decisions as they were."

He said he is currently organizing records related to former President Roh. No stated, "I am trying to collect all records related to my father, as well as testimonies from those around him. In that process, many events from that time will come up, but especially whenever materials related to Gwangju May 18 appear, I share them with related people and hold these thoughts."

He believes that former President Roh had the intention to apologize but was unable to do so due to health deterioration after being released from detention.

Regarding the memoirs, he said, "The parts that have already been published cannot be helped, but if there is an opportunity to republish, I am thinking of revising them," and added, "If there are other ways besides the memoirs, I am also considering ways to express my father's true feelings."

He continued, "Even in 2011, his illness had progressed significantly," and said, "When the memoirs were finalized, I believe my father's true feelings and intentions were not properly reflected. In that state, it is regrettable that very partial times and distorted views appeared as they were in the memoirs."

He explained that when compiling his father's notes and organizing the writing, others helped, but some parts were included differently from his father's intentions, so he wants to revise them.

Regarding the Jeon Du-hwan family, he said, "They have their own thoughts and actions in their own way, so I believe that someday they will come to good thoughts."

No said, "For true reconciliation in history, a sincere apology from those on the perpetrator's side must come first, and through that, true reconciliation can be achieved," and added, "While this is my own view, I always act with my father's heart in mind, offering apologies and various actions."

He continued, "It would be wonderful if my father could say a word, but since that is difficult, I will step forward, even if it is just me or my family, to continue apologizing. If it can help even a little in healing and reconciliation, I am willing to apologize 100 times or 1,000 times, and I can do it."

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