Lee Soon-ja “Apologizes on behalf of my husband” 5/18 survivors “Is this an apology?” I can’t forgive Chun Doo-hwan”

On the 23rd, Lee Soon-ja, wife of Chun Doo-hwan, who died on the 23rd, announced that she would apologize on behalf of her husband to those who suffered and hurt during Chun’s tenure, but the May organization and the victims’ families protested, saying, “Is this an apology?” This is because there is no mention of Gwangju or May 18th, so it is impossible to know what the apology is for.

The bereaved family and those involved in the May organization complained, “I can’t see you as a sincere apology,” and “I can never forgive Chun Doo-hwan.

Lee Soon-ja appeared as the family representative at the funeral service on the morning of the 27th and said, “As we wrap up today’s funeral, on behalf of the family, I want to deeply apologize on behalf of my husband to those who have suffered and been hurt during his husband’s tenure.”

Mr. Lee said, “I cannot describe the devastating and heartbreaking feeling of having to leave my husband, who I had been with as a couple for 62 years, but I think I should be grateful for leaving this world in a comfortable and painless way.” When he died, the funeral was kept simple and no graves were built. They also asked me to cremate it and spray it where I could see the northern part of the country,” he said.

“Looking back, we went through a lot of things after my husband stepped down from public office,” Lee said.

However, nowhere in the apology is there any mention of Gwangju citizens, their bereaved families, or the responsibility for the 5/18 massacre and the order to fire. As the public’s anger against Chun Doo-hwan, who didn’t say a word of apology until his death, grows, critics say it’s an apology that seems to be pushed aside.

Kim Young-hoon, chairman of the May 18 survivors’ family, said in a phone call with Media Today on the afternoon of the 27th, “He did not say a word about the 5.18. is this an apple It’s hard to see it as an apology,” he said. There is no sincerity and no sincerity.”

Chairman Kim said, “I mourn even when the enemy dies, but I have no intention of (mourning) for Chun Doo-hwan. Shouldn’t they be buried in the dark and sent to the family?” he said. He also said that the surviving close aides of Chun Doo-hwan, such as Sam-su Heo and Hwa-pyeong Heo, should come forward to find out the truth about the firing squad and the massacre, apologize on their behalf, and testify.

Chairman Kim said, “I cannot forgive Chun Doo-hwan. He is deceased, but I cannot forgive him. The Korean people all know about Chun Doo-hwan, who did a lot of unscrupulous things. We will continue to investigate the facts of the act, and the criminal case will be dismissed as his death, but the civil case will continue.”

Cho Jin-tae, executive director of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, also said, “I have doubts about whether I can accept that much apology.” He pointed out that he apologized to the extent of what Jeon did when he was chased by Baekdamsa Temple in the past.”

Director Cho urged, “If you think about the people who deserve an apology, then there are things you need to do.” Director Cho said, “Especially in relation to the May Massacre, there are family members of the deceased, whose bodies have not yet been found, and the families who were horribly slaughtered are still in pain. For this, Chun Doo-hwan’s family needs a concrete apology and action of apology.” Director Cho emphasized, “If there is no such thing, an apology alone cannot make any progress, and the victims’ families cannot be comforted.”

Regarding the meaning of Lee Soon-ja’s apology, Director Cho interpreted, “It seems that the public’s anger is great, so it seems that he has given the least amount of response to his anger.”

Regarding the expression ‘thank you for leaving the job in a relaxed manner,’ Director Cho said, “It’s the exact opposite. The wretched words of a slayer, a dictator. Isn’t it a miserable appearance that no one in the people mourns for? Otherwise, why would Jung Ho-yong fled to America? Wouldn’t it be a senseless expression that doesn’t look at and consider such things?” he lamented. Director Cho criticized, “It is a disprove that he passed away painfully, and I think he paradoxically said that he went comfortably because he felt that the people’s anger remained.”

Regarding the death of Chun Doo-hwan, director Cho said, “Just because Chun Doo-hwan dies, the historical judgment on crimes of state violence, judgment, and truth-finding, etc., does not end.”

In addition, the May 18 Democratization Movement Seoul Commemoration Association, the May 18 Democratization Movement Injured Association Seoul Branch, the May 18 Democratization Movement Arrest and Injured Association Seoul Branch, the Samcheong Education University National Victims Association, forced conscription and recording Organizations of victims of the Chun Doo-hwan administration, such as the Truth Investigation Promotion Committee for Leading Work, the Kim Sa-bok Memorial Project, the An Byeong-ha Memorial Service, the Peace Mugunghwa Club, and the Peace Veterans Association, also criticized Lee Soon-ja’s apology and called for the return of unjust wealth to society.

They said, “As we are the victims of the 5th bombing, there is no specific mention of any victims.” “Not only May 18, but also Samcheong Education University, forced recruitment and recording of students, numerous espionage operations, labor oppression by the Baekgol gang and oppression of emigrants. There are countless others across the country. We have to prove the sincerity of our apologies to the victims.” They added that it is necessary to fulfill the promise of full payment of surcharges declared by Chun Jae-guk on September 10, 2013, and to enact the ‘Special Act on the Return of Chun Doo-hwan’s Illegal Acquisition of the New Military Assets’ to recover the unjust assets.