"A Paratrooper from the 5·18 Incident Who 'Was Killed by My Own Bullet' Apologizes to the Bereaved Family"

Bereaved Family: "Thank You for Your Courage, Please Live Peacefully from Now On" - A Reversed Consolation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A paratrooper who participated as a martial law soldier during the 1980 May 18 Democratic Movement met with the bereaved family and apologized, seeking forgiveness, after admitting that an innocent civilian died from his own gunfire.

While there have been many cases where martial law soldiers involved in the suppression operation testified about the incidents they witnessed, this is the first time a perpetrator has expressed an apology to the bereaved family, admitting that he personally fired the shot that caused a specific person's death.

According to the May 18 Democratic Movement Truth Investigation Committee (Chairman Song Seontae) on the 17th, a reconciliation meeting was held the previous day at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery between martial law soldier A, who caused the death of a civilian during the May 18 Democratic Movement, and the victim's family.

This meeting was arranged after the martial law soldier who participated in the operation confessed his actions and expressed his intention to apologize to the bereaved family through the committee, and the family accepted the perpetrator's apology.

Mr. A met with the bereaved family, including the two brothers of the late Park Byunghyun, and apologized, saying, “I am sorry for causing pain that cannot be washed away with any words.”

He continued, “I hesitated because I thought my apology might cause more pain,” and tearfully said, “I have been tormented by guilt for the past 40 years. I am relieved to be able to meet and ask for forgiveness now.”

Park Jongsu (73), the elder brother of the late Park Byunghyun, said, “Thank you for apologizing, even if late. I will think of it as meeting my deceased younger brother again.”

He added, “I am truly grateful and relieved that you courageously came forward,” and said, “Forget all the pain of the past and live with a clear conscience,” embracing Mr. A.

Meanwhile, the late Park Byunghyun (then 25 years old) was reportedly shot and killed by Mr. A, a member of the 8th Regional Unit, 33rd Battalion, 7th Airborne Brigade, who was patrolling the area near the ‘Nodaenamje’ reservoir in Nodaedong, Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, on May 23, 1980, while Park was passing through on his way to his hometown Boseong to help with farming.

Regarding the shooting incident, Mr. A testified, “While a company-sized force was performing reconnaissance and other missions to block the outskirts of Gwangju, two young civilian men walking toward Hwasun via a country road saw us (paratroopers) and ran away,” and “I ordered them to stop, but they fled in fear, and I fired unconsciously.”

He also said, “There were no firearms or threatening objects around the scene of Park Byunghyun’s death,” and “There was no resistance or violence against the troops.”

Through its investigation activities, the committee has confirmed multiple cases similar to Mr. A’s confession. In the future, if there is mutual consent between martial law soldiers and victims (bereaved families), the committee will actively facilitate apologies and forgiveness to help heal the unfortunate past and contribute to national unity.

Kim Younghoon, president of the May 18 Democratic Movement Bereaved Families Association, said, “On behalf of the bereaved families, I express gratitude for the courageous confession, even at this late stage.”

Investigation Committee Chairman Song Seontae said, “I hope they can now lay down the burden on their hearts and take care of their health, and I hope the martial law soldiers who were mobilized in the operation will testify confidently.”

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