May Organizations Welcome Army Chief of Staff's Apology for May 18 Incident

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] "I sincerely hope that the spirit of May, based on sharing and solidarity, democracy, human rights, and peace, will become a new starting point as a great spiritual value."

The May Organizations (5·18 Memorial Foundation, Association of Families of Democratic Patriots, Association of Democratic Movement Disabled Veterans, Association of Detained and Disabled Veterans) stated in a press release on the 16th, "We welcome the apology from the Army Chief of Staff regarding May 18."

They said, "At the National Assembly audit of the Army Headquarters, Army Chief of Staff Nam Young-shin officially apologized for the military's ruthless suppression and killings that took place in Gwangju in May 1980," adding, "Although it is a regretful delay, we highly appreciate the fact that, for the first time, the highest military official officially apologized for the army's actions related to May 18."

They continued, "We hope that this apology from the Army Chief of Staff will lead to courageous repentance and confession from those involved in the Gwangju massacre who remain silent, and that the truth about May 18 will be clearly revealed," emphasizing, "We sincerely hope and expect this to be sublimated into a place of reconciliation and forgiveness, becoming the foundation for national unity and establishing a correct historical perspective on popular sovereignty and human rights in our modern history."

The organizations added, "Until now, we May comrades have demanded a complete investigation into the truth of the May 18 Democratic Movement and sincere apologies from the perpetrators, feeling the shame of the survivors," and "We look forward to the day when the painful scars of the past turn into honorable pride."

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