Ex-president Chun to attend libel trial

An officer sets up police lines in front of former President Chun Doo-hwan's house in Seodaemun-gu, western Seoul, Sunday, one day before he travels to attend a hearing at the Gwangju District Court. / Yonhap

15 police to accompany former leader on 315-kilometer journey

By Kim Jae-heun

Former President Chun Doo-hwan has been summoned to a hearing today at Gwangju District Court in a libel action filed against him for allegedly slandering the late activist priest Cho Chul-hyun, also-known as Cho Bi-oh here.

Chun was indicted last May after a relative of Cho filed a suit against him for defaming the priest, who testified that he witnessed soldiers shooting at citizens from helicopters during the crackdown on the pro-democratic uprising in Gwangju in 1980.

The former president described Cho as “Satan wearing a mask” and called him a “liar” in his 2017 memoirs ― denying the priest's claim.

The court has ordered Chun to appear in court twice before ― Aug. 27 last year and Jan. 7 ― but he refused, saying he had Alzheimer's disease the first time and influenza, the second.

But a local daily reported in early Jan. that the former president was seen playing golf with his wife in April and December last year, when he claimed he was suffering from dementia.

The court this time issued a subpoena and if Chun refuses again, he will face arrest.

Chun's lawyer Chung Joo-kyo said Thursday the former president would attend the hearing, and that he had not dodged the previous ones but had been unable to appear because he was ill.

It will be Chun's first court appearance in 23 years after he stood trial on charges of sedition, mutiny and taking bribes during his presidency from 1980-88.

If convicted, Chun will face up to two years in jail or a fine of 5 million won ($4,397).

Chun reportedly will leave his house in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, at 8:30 a.m. and travel 315 kilometers to Gwangju District Court by car.

Lee Soon-ja, Chun's wife, and his lawyer Chung will accompany the former president

Ten police will follow Chun to the court together with five security guards.

According to police, about 200-300 members of a conservative civic group will hold a protest against Chun's trial in Gwangju in front of his house at 7:30 a.m. Police plan to send extra manpower to support the 60 already deployed there.

Meanwhile, the May 18 Memorial Foundation urged Chun to apologize before appearing in court.

“Before he comes to Gwangju, I hope Chun apologizes to the citizens here and the deceased victims of the crackdown,” a foundation official said. “It will help him to cleanse the sin he committed.”