Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Gov't heads denounce lawmakers' false claims about May 18 movement
Six local government heads, including Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, third from right, hold signs calling for correct recognition of the May 18 Democratization Movement in Gwangju at the National Assembly in Seoul, Sunday. / Yonhap
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Fifteen local government heads issued a statement, Sunday, denouncing the distortion and disparagement of the May 18 Democratization Movement in Gwangju by conservative politicians.
They also called for a law to prevent distortion and defamation of the 1980 pro-democracy movement from recurring.
“The May 18 movement was the most important democratization movement to enhance our democracy,” the statement said. “However, some people are using it politically to cut down and distort its meaning. We urge the National Assembly to pass a special law that punishes distortion of history.”
The joint statement came after three lawmakers from the conservative main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) ― Lee Jong-myeong, Kim Soon-rye and Kim Jin-tae ― made comments on the Gwangju Uprising earlier this month, raising a conspiracy theory that the movement was a riot influenced by North Korean operatives.
The 15 included Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seob and Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, but Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin and North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, both from the LKP, did not join.
“As the distortion aims to deny the country's laws and democracy, we reject their political move to distort the historic May 18 movement,” the statement added.
“The absurd remarks regarding the movement created a shock throughout the nation. This is not a problem just for the city of Gwangju, but an issue that affects the whole country. We have released the joint statement in opposition to their thoughtless words,” Park said.
The Gwangju mayor called on the three LKP lawmakers that caused the ruckus to be expelled.
“The May 1980 massacre became a massacre of absurd words, the residents of Gwangju feel victimized but are not lonely because of the support from the public. The three lawmakers Lee Jong-myeong, Kim Soon-rye and Kim Jin-tae needs to be expelled and a special law should be passed to prevent historic distortion,” the Gwangju mayor said.
On Saturday, members of civic groups staged a rally at Cheonggye Square in Seoul, criticizing opposition party lawmakers' recent radical comments against the pro-democracy movement.
Some 10,000 people took part in the rally holding signs saying, “We condemn the LKP for distorting the May 18 Movement,” and called for “enactment of a special law that will prevent historic distortion.”
“Political scientist Jee Man-won should be arrested for spreading false rumors via internet and the press, claiming North Korean soldiers were involved in the movement,” an activist said during the rally.
Jee is a controversial conservative commentator, who has claimed the uprising was masterminded by North Korean special forces.
On May 18, 1980, the military carried out a bloody crackdown on demonstrators, including students who were protesting Chun Doo-hwan who took power in a military coup months earlier. It led to the deaths of around 200 people and 1,000 others were injured.