Historical Accusations Resurface Against Former President Chun Doo-hwan
Accusations have been made in court and through testimonies regarding former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan's alleged role in ordering the shooting of pro-democracy protesters during the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980. These claims suggest that Chun, who seized power through a military coup, directed military forces to open fire on civilians, leading to a significant loss of life. The Gwangju Uprising remains a deeply painful chapter in South Korea's modern history, marked by brutal suppression of democratic movements.
The Gwangju Uprising and Chun's Rise to Power
The Gwangju Uprising, which occurred from May 18 to May 27, 1980, saw citizens and students in Gwangju rise up against the martial law declared by Chun Doo-hwan. Chun had orchestrated a military coup on December 12, 1979, following the assassination of President Park Chung Hee, and subsequently expanded martial law nationwide. Pro-democracy activists, primarily students, protested the closure of universities and the ban on political activities, facing a violent crackdown by military forces. During the uprising, military forces flooded the city, and paratroopers reportedly beat protesters, with generals ordering troops to fire indiscriminately into crowds.
Eyewitness Testimonies and Allegations of Direct Orders
Decades after the events, former intelligence and investigative personnel have come forward with testimonies. Kim Yong-chang, a former U.S. 501st military intelligence brigade agent, alleged in 2019 that Chun Doo-hwan, then a military general, ordered troops to shoot protesters, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Kim testified to the National Assembly and civic groups, stating that Chun secretly visited Gwangju on May 21, 1980, to meet with military leaders. Another former investigator, Heo Jang-hwan, corroborated these claims, asserting that Chun had ordered the 'shooting' as an attack rather than for defensive purposes. These testimonies underscore the long-standing belief among many that the violence was a direct result of orders from the highest levels of military command.
Legal Proceedings and Lasting Legacy
Chun Doo-hwan was later tried and convicted for his role in the 1979 coup and the suppression of the Gwangju Uprising. In 1996, the Seoul District Court issued a death sentence against him, which was later commuted to life imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay a substantial fine. Although he and his ally Roh Tae-woo received presidential pardons in 1997, the legal proceedings affirmed the historical truth of the events. The Gwangju Uprising is now recognized as a pivotal moment that accelerated South Korea's transition to democracy, and efforts continue to fully uncover the truth and honor the victims.
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