Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Urges May Organization to Maintain Political Neutrality After Statement Criticizing 'Yoon Detention Cancellation'

Official letter sent by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to the May 18 organizations. Provided by the reader

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The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is facing controversy over allegations that it attempted to politically pressure and restrain the May 18 organizations that issued a critical statement regarding the cancellation of President Yoon Sukyeol's arrest.

According to the May 18 Democratic Merit Families Association and others on the 8th, the previous day the Ministry sent an official notice titled 'Re-Notification on the Obligation of Political Neutrality for May 18 Democratic Organizations.'

The official document stated that the critical statement released by the May organizations the previous day, titled 'Cancellation of President Yoon Sukyeol's Arrest, a Challenge to Justice,' may violate internal regulations regarding the obligation of political neutrality. It also added a reminder to avoid any cases of supporting or opposing specific political parties.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs made several phone calls to officials of the three May organizations, demanding, "This is a violation of political neutrality. Send us the original statement."

Previously, the three May 18 organizations established by law and the May 18 Memorial Foundation issued a joint statement, pointing out, "The decision to cancel the arrest of the main perpetrator of the rebellion is a direct challenge to justice. It is an act that denies judicial justice and seriously undermines democracy."

In relation to this, Yang Jae-hyuk, president of the May 18 Democratic Merit Families Association, said, "The May 18 organizations are direct victims of martial law, so it is natural for us to be more sensitive. Is it really a violation of political neutrality to speak out on this issue when the person who led the martial law has had their arrest canceled?" He added, "Sending an official document on this matter late at night can only be seen as an act of administrative power violating political neutrality and attempting to exert pressure."

Kang Gi-jung, Mayor of Gwangju, also posted on his Facebook account the same day, saying, "It is deeply regrettable and anachronistic that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs pressured the May 18 organizations that criticized the cancellation of Yoon Sukyeol's arrest, citing the obligation of political neutrality and calling them late at night." "To tell us not to call the main perpetrator of the rebellion what they are is like turning us into Hong Gildong of the Joseon Dynasty, who could not call his father and brother by their names," he criticized.

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