No Jaeheon-Jeon Woo-won 5·18 Memorial Visit... Former President's Family's Special May

Direct Family of 5·18 Massacre Perpetrator Visits Gwangju to Apologize
May Organizations Respond Favorably... Empathize with Sincerity of Apology

"I apologize for the wrongs done to those who sacrificed for democracy. I do not take pride in my family. I have always carried a sense of guilt and have come to sincerely apologize."

Woo Won, the grandson of former President Jeon Du-hwan, visited Gwangju again to express his apology. It is noteworthy that on the 17th, Woo Won visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, and met with key figures from the May Mothers and related May organizations to convey his apology.

It is significant both that the Jeon Du-hwan family appeared ahead of the 5·18 memorial ceremony and that the May organizations opened their hearts to his apology. The fact that victims and families who hold the painful memories of May Gwangju opened their hearts to a family member of the person identified as the main culprit of the massacre symbolizes a 'different May.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Woo Won, seemingly aware of public attention directed at him, apologized saying, "Today, I hope the focus is on those who sacrificed for democracy rather than on me. I have no right to speak, but I am truly sorry."

Until now, groups or political figures responsible for the tragedy of May 1980 rarely visited the Mangwol-dong cemetery. Attempts to visit were rare, and even when attempted, citizens of Gwangju did not tolerate it.

Because the wounds in the Gwangju region run deep, sensitivity to 5·18-related issues is inevitable. In 2019, Hwang Kyo-ahn, then leader of the Liberty Korea Party, was turned away at the door for lightly punishing three lawmakers who made defamatory remarks about 5·18.

However, the reaction to Woo Won was different. The atmosphere is one of accepting his apology as heartfelt rather than a one-time event.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, changes in the flow related to May 1980 Gwangju began even before Woo Won. This was seen in the actions of Roh Jae-heon, eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo. Jae-heon gained attention for his so-called knee apology. Currently chairman of the East Asia Culture Center, Jae-heon visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery to pay respects ahead of the 43rd anniversary on the 9th.

In the condolence book, he wrote, "I express my apology and gratitude for the sacrifice of the 5·18 democratic spirits and pray that true democracy will blossom in the Republic of Korea." Roh made a knee apology in Gwangju on August 23, 2019, and has visited Gwangju several times to apologize for his father's mistakes.

The 'apology on behalf' by direct family members of former Presidents Jeon Du-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, who are considered the main culprits of the massacre, is itself another record. It is an effort to gradually correct distorted history amid ongoing prejudice and distortion related to May Gwangju.

Park Haeng-soon (73), sister of Park Gwan-hyun, the late president of the Jeonnam National University student council during 5·18, said regarding Woo Won's visit, "The grandson knelt down and apologized on behalf of the grandfather who never apologized even once," adding, "The long-standing anger and sorrow have been somewhat relieved."

On the morning of the 9th, No Jaeheon, chairman of the East Asia Culture Center and son of former President Roh Tae-woo, is paying respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by No Jaeheon, Yonhap News Agency

Woo Won's first visit to Gwangju in March was also warmly welcomed by many Gwangju citizens. Before his visit, he consistently emphasized the message of defining his grandfather as a 'mass murderer' and expressing apology, which opened the hearts of Gwangju citizens.

Previously, the 5·18 Democratic Movement Merit Association and the Injured Association supported Woo Won's trip to Gwangju after he apologized for his grandfather's mistakes.

On March 29, Lee Nam, head of the Seoul branch of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Association, urged Woo Won, "Please make a dignified and sincere apology to the 5·18 spirits and work towards uncovering the truth of 5·18 and restoring the spirit of 5·18."

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