Amid Local Backlash, '5·18 Groups-Special Forces Society Reconciliation Declaration'... Half-Hearted Meaning Fades

518 Injured Veterans Association and Meritorious Persons Association Hold Joint Declaration Ceremony Inviting Special Forces Society

Bereaved Families' Absence and Criticism from Various Groups Including May Mothers' House... Event Becomes Half-hea

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The 5·18 Injured Association and the Meritorious Persons Association, along with the Special Forces Comrades Association, have faced criticism from various parts of the local community over the 'National Joint Declaration Ceremony for Reconciliation and Inclusion' they promoted.

Given the military's characteristic of strict hierarchy and the inability of soldiers to disobey orders, some sympathize with the view that the ordinary soldiers who participated in the suppression at the scene were 'secondary victims.' However, why are various sectors issuing statements and holding opposition rallies?

On the 19th, the 5·18 Injured Association and the Meritorious Persons Association invited the Special Forces Comrades Association to Gwangju to hold the 'National Joint Declaration Ceremony.'

On the 19th at around 11 a.m., the 5·18 Victims Association and the Meritorious Persons Association held a 'Joint National Declaration Ceremony' at the 5·18 Memorial Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, inviting about 150 members of the Special Forces Comrades Association.
[Photo by Jin-Hyung Park]

The event was attended by about 300 people, including Hwang Ilbong, president of the Injured Association, Jeong Seongguk, president of the Meritorious Persons Association, Choi Ikbong, chairman of the Special Forces Comrades Association, and Jeon Sangbu, president of the Special Forces Comrades Association. The program included a progress report, encouragement speeches and congratulatory addresses, reading of the declaration, and signing ceremony.

However, the event did not proceed smoothly. As the event plan became known, 5·18-related organizations and civic groups strongly criticized it as a 'fake political show.'

Eventually, even the Bereaved Families Association, one of the three May organizations, declared 'non-participation.' Jeong Daeun, a Gwangju Metropolitan Council member who has been involved in lawsuits against forces distorting the history of 5·18 for years, also expressed difficulty in sympathizing with the event, and the Gwangju City Council issued a statement expressing similar views.

On the day of the event, about 100 organizations held rallies in various locations, criticizing the joint declaration ceremony with the Special Forces Association.

The main reason is that the 5·18 Truth Investigation Committee is currently conducting an investigation, and it makes no sense to embrace and reconcile with the martial law troops who are both the subjects of the investigation and perpetrators.

Forgiveness must be preceded by genuine repentance and apology, but the truth of 5·18 has not yet been fully uncovered, and the massacre perpetrators deny giving the order to fire.

There has been no official apology, and they remain silent about where the missing persons are buried. Premature forgiveness would not only grant them impunity but also cause the truth investigation itself to be continuously diluted, which is the main reason for opposition.

Before reconciliation and forgiveness, there must be an apology from the main culprits who led the martial law troops and massacred Gwangju citizens in May 1980, and a promise and confession of conscience on how they will cooperate with the ongoing truth investigation.

Choi Ikbong, chairman of the Republic of Korea Special Forces Comrades Association, also sparked controversy with his remarks at the event. In his greeting, Choi said, "I pay tribute to the dedication of the military seniors who were dispatched according to orders and tasked with maintaining order in Gwangju," adding, "The efforts and sacrifices of the Special Forces seniors who carried out the order to restore order must not be distorted or underestimated."

Due to the nature of the military, soldiers act according to orders, but Choi's reference to a 'mission to maintain order' appears no different from the far-right groups' perspective that views 5·18 as a riot.

Moreover, it is controversial that they came to Gwangju, where people still suffer severe trauma from the martial law troops who brutally crushed the citizens in May 1980, wearing military uniforms, boots, and berets, and even planned to sing the 'Black Beret,' a victory song from 43 years ago.

Additionally, despite the absence of the Bereaved Families Association, one of the three May organizations, and opposition from the May Mothers' House and various parts of the local community, the event was pushed forward like a lone warrior without opening a 'public forum' for discussion and persuasion, which has also drawn criticism.

A representative from a 5·18 organization said, "What justification is there to forcibly proceed with an event that the Bereaved Families Association and the local community unanimously oppose?" and added, "Moreover, seeing them change the schedule like a military operation to conduct a 'surprise visit' because citizens opposed it was infuriating."

He continued, "The Special Forces Association wore bloodstained boots and military uniforms to make a surprise visit to the May spirits. While they had no choice but to obey orders as soldiers 43 years ago, if this event had sincerity, they should have taken off their boots and uniforms, knelt before the spirits as civilians, and apologized," adding, "By proceeding with this event despite local opposition, they have killed us twice and thrice who still live in pain from 5·18."

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