'May Group-Special Forces Society Declaration Ceremony' Only 3-5 Special Forces Directly Related to 5·18

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Amid ongoing controversies from various sectors regarding the 'National Declaration Ceremony of Inclusion, Reconciliation, and Gratitude' being promoted by the May 18 organizations and the Special Forces Veterans Association, it has been claimed that among the approximately 150 Special Forces members participating in the event, only 3 to 5 individuals are directly related to the May 18 incident, raising questions about the representativeness of the group.

Jeong Dae-eun, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, stated on Facebook, "The approximately 150 soldiers who will visit Gwangju wearing Special Forces uniforms at the declaration ceremony have no direct connection to May 1980, so they cannot be considered the counterparts for reconciliation."

Given that a national-level investigation into the perpetrators is still ongoing, it seems unreasonable to attribute significance to a large-scale event where 'May 18 victims and perpetrators come together for inclusion and reconciliation.'

She added, "In the midst of a series of opposition statements within the region, to gain consensus on the necessity of holding the event, serious consideration must first be given to procedural consultations with the Truth Investigation Committee and the possibility of securing additional witnesses," and argued, "Healing the trauma of perpetrators cannot justify trivializing the trauma of others, and the voices of those opposing must be embraced first."

She also emphasized, "It has already been 43 years since 1980. Since this is the first and possibly the last time, the meaning of reconciliation must be heavier than gold," and stressed, "There seems to be no reason why the event scheduled for the 19th cannot be postponed to the following week or the next month."

Furthermore, she stated, "Born in September 1986, I study May 18 today, have been engaged in lawsuits against forces distorting history for years, and continuously raise my voice on related issues. I am not someone who attacks or destroys May 18, but someone who protects it," and added, "Let's have a discussion."

Meanwhile, the May 3 organizations (Bereaved Families Association, Injured Persons Association, and Meritorious Persons Association) plan to hold a joint declaration ceremony with the Special Forces Veterans Association on the 19th. However, groups such as the May Mothers' House, Gwangju-Jeonnam Memorial Solidarity, and Gwangju-Jeonnam Women's Organizations Federation have strongly criticized the event as a 'fake political show,' demanding truth verification and responsible apologies first. Additionally, the Bereaved Families Association, one of the May 18 organizations, has declared its absence, fueling strong opposition within the local community.

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