Some Special Forces Veterans Members: "Those Who Initiated Illegal Martial Law Must Face Maximum Punishment Under Military Law"

Visit to May 18 National Cemetery on the 4th Anniversary of the National Joint Declaration
Leading efforts over four years to correct distortions and disparagement of May 18

On the 21st, some members of the Korea Special Forces Veterans Association paid respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the National Joint Declaration. Photo provided by attendees

On the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the joint declaration to the people, some members of the Republic of Korea Special Forces Veterans Association visited the May 18 Democratic Cemetery and called for the maximum legal punishment for those who initiated the illegal martial law.

On the 21st, about 20 members of the Republic of Korea Special Forces Veterans Association paid tribute at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Previously, during the illegal 12·3 martial law, they also visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery to denounce the inappropriateness of the illegal martial law. At that time, it was the first occasion since the establishment of the Special Forces that both Special Forces and Marine Corps veterans' organizations gathered together for such a visit.

The attendees stated, "Although Special Forces troops were armed and deployed to constitutional and national institutions during the illegal 12·3 martial law, a bloody incident was avoided because the Special Forces veterans' organizations continuously held events to seek forgiveness from the victims." They added, "By informing the younger generation of the reckless acts committed by their seniors under illegal and unjust orders, which neglected the duties of the national army, it served as a lesson, leading to rational and reasonable decisions and restrained actions by the troops and commanders, thereby preventing a bloodshed."

They continued, "Former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who initiated the illegal 12·3 martial law, was the nation's Commander-in-Chief, and the military generals involved threw the country into chaos," and insisted, "They must be judged not in a civilian court but by a military court under the Military Criminal Act and sentenced to the maximum punishment."

They further added, "Although the joint declaration to the people that began to promote national unity and the greatness of the May 18 Democratization Movement is being obstructed by certain groups, we will not waver and will continue to strive to hold memorial events and reveal the truth to the end."

The Special Forces Veterans Association previously made a joint declaration to the people with official organizations related to the May 18 Democratization Movement (the Association of the Injured and the Association of Merit) on February 19, 2023.

Since then, the Special Forces Veterans Association has made efforts to correct the distortion and disparagement of the May 18 Democratization Movement by: ▲revising its website to remove content that distorts or disparages May 18 ▲advocating for including the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement in the preamble to the Constitution ▲paying tribute annually at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery with members and confirming the list of merit at the May 18 Memorial Foundation's Memorial Hall ▲donating 63 blood donation certificates to the Gwangju Red Cross ▲holding testimony events involving martial law troops deployed during May 18.

Choi Myungyong, who lives in Chuncheon and was then an aide at the intelligence office of the 3rd Airborne Brigade, testified, "At Gwangju Station, the brigade commander at the time, Choi Sechang, gave the order to open fire," adding, "As a result of Choi Sechang's order, there were many cases of asphyxiation deaths on the Jeonnam National University campus and in vehicles transporting people from the university to the prison."

Ko Seongjun, who lives in Namyangju and was then the commander of the 7th Regional Unit, 33rd Battalion, 7th Airborne Brigade, testified about the process of the first fatalities at Geumnam-ro, apologized in front of the bereaved family member Lim Geundan, and paid tribute at the grave of the late martyr Kim Kyungcheol. He also testified about the massacre in Junam Village and apologized in front of the victim Hong Geumsook.

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