Death Cannot Bury the Truth

At 8:45 a.m. on November 23, Chun Doo-hwan, the culprit of the May 18 massacre, collapsed in the bathroom of his house, and died at the age of 90. Reportedly, he has been receiving medical treatments recently for poor health conditions.

Gyeong-mi Park, the spokesperson of the Presidential Office of Blue House made a press briefing and said “The Blue House pays tributes to former president Chun and conveys words of condolence to his surviving family” and added “It is regretful that he did not tell the truth of history nor make a sincere apology till the end. The Blue House has no plan to send a flower or pay a visit to his funeral.”

She said “It was inevitable to mention his position as ‘former president’ to make a briefing. Yet, it is not that President Moon addressed him as ‘former president Chun Doo-hwan.‘” She also added that the statement issued by the Blue House about Chun’s death was not a message of condolence.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said to reporters that Chun was previously sentenced to prison terms on charges of rebellion, etc. and therefore cannot be buried in the national cemetery in accordance with the Act on the Respect and Support for People of National Merit.

Death Cannot Bury the Truth
Chun Doo-hwan is gone but the truth of May 18 remains

Chun Doo-hwan, the culprit of overthrowing the state and the May 18 massacre of civilians, died on Nov. 23 without having made an apology. He has previously organized a secret military club, called Hanahoi, and seized power by mounting a coup. After the bloody oppression of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, he took the presidency in 1980 and remained in power until early 1988.

He has cheated the public and the judiciary with never-ending lies and distortion of truth. There was no single moment of reflection or apology, and instead he has led a disgusting life, defaming and undermining the victims to the May 18 massacre in his memoire. Due to delayed trials, he died as sinner before he is brought to justice of history.

Murderer Chun has consistently put up lame excuses and avoided responsibility, saying he has nothing to do with the May 18 massacre.

We have strongly urged horrendous murderer Chun’s confession and remorse and strict punishment by the judiciary. We have been hoping he will stand the trial of history and be held responsible for undermining the constitutional history of Korea and killing innocent civilians, but that would not happen since he is dead.

Nevertheless, we will certainly hold the culprits of the massacre responsible and bring every single act of the worst criminal Chun Doo-hwan to light, thereby implementing justice on history.