Conservative candidate blocked from participating in vigil marking Gwangju massacre

People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo, left, greets campaign staff after rally outside Supreme Court in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Organizers of a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Gwangju massacre are opposing the attendance of Kim Moon-soo, the presidential contender from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), at a commemorative event held on the eve of the anniversary.

Officially known as the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the incident marks a pivotal moment in Korea’s pro-democracy struggle. In May 1980, the Korean military brutally suppressed civilian protests in the southwestern city, resulting in the deaths of several hundred — and possibly more than 2,000 — people. The tragedy remains a powerful symbol of resistance and sacrifice, commemorated each year with ceremonies and vigils in Gwangju to honor those who lost their lives.

According to the organizing committee for the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, Thursday, the PPP’s Gwangju branch contacted organizers earlier this week to inquire about Kim’s attendance at the ceremony. In response, the committee expressed its disapproval, citing concerns over public safety.

“While the vigil is open to everyone to honor those who sacrificed their lives for democracy, recent controversies surrounding Kim have intensified public backlash, prompting our decision,” a committee spokesperson said.

The controversy centers on the PPP’s earlier appointment of Chung Ho-yong as a senior advisor to Kim Moon-soo’s campaign. Chung, a former military general, played a prominent role in the violent suppression of the pro-democracy protest and later served as interior and defense minister under the Chun Doo-hwan regime. On Wednesday, Kim’s campaign announced Chung’s appointment, but reversed the decision just hours later amid public backlash.

Chung was convicted in 1997 by the Supreme Court for his involvement in the Dec. 12, 1979, military coup and the bloody crackdown on the Gwangju massacre and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

In response to the committee’s stance, the PPP’s Gwangju chapter issued a statement condemning the decision as discriminatory.

"The May 18 Democratic Uprising is a historic milestone that transcends ideology and partisanship. The vigil should remain open to all who wish to honor its legacy," the statement read. “We urge the organizers to treat all political figures equally and to issue a public apology for their biased judgment."