May Organizations: "Appointing Roh Jaeheon as Ambassador to China Is an Insult to Democracy"

On the afternoon of May 2 last year, Roh Jaeheon, director of the East Asia Culture Center and son of former President Roh Taewoo, is seen conversing with staff at the May Mothers' House in Yangrim-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

The May organizations have condemned the appointment of Roh Jaeheon, the eldest son of the late former President Roh Tae-woo, as ambassador to China, calling it "an act that insults the people who have defended democracy."

The three official May 18 organizations (the Association of Bereaved Families, the Association of Injured, and the Association of Meritorious Persons), along with the May 18 Memorial Foundation, issued a statement on the 11th, declaring, "We strongly condemn the government's recent appointment of ambassador to China," and added, "Appointing the direct family member of someone responsible for the massacre to a key diplomatic post is an act that insults not only the victims and bereaved families of May 18, but also all the people who have defended democracy."

The organizations stated, "The May 18 Democratization Movement is the foundation of Korean democracy, defended with blood against state violence, and today's democratic government, built on countless sacrifices, stands upon that spirit." "The people have devoted themselves to democracy for many years, and the current government was born out of that trust. However, this appointment is a betrayal of the people's aspirations and is no different from trampling on the pain of history once again," they pointed out.

They further demanded, "The government must immediately withdraw this appointment plan," and added, "It must offer a sincere apology to the people and pledge to respect the spirit of May 18 and the values of democracy."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Lee Jaemyung administration has named Roh Jaeheon, son of former President Roh Tae-woo, as its first ambassador to China and is proceeding with the diplomatic process.

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