Chun stands trial for defamation charges
Former President Chun Doo-hwan, center, makes his way to the Gwangju District Court, Monday, to attend a hearing on defamation charges linked to the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising that began on May 18, 1980. / Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
Former President Chun Doo-hwan attended a hearing, Monday, of his trial for defamation linked to the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising, marking his second court appearance in a little over a year.
The former dictator attended the hearing at the Gwangju District Court, about 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul, at 2 p.m.
The former Army general, who rose to power through a military coup and led an authoritarian government from 1980 to 1988, was indicted without physical detention in May 2018 for allegedly making slanderous statements against a late activist priest's eyewitness accounts of the bloody military suppression of pro-democracy protesters.
In a controversial memoir released in April 2017, Chun described activist priest Cho Chul-hyun, also known as Cho Bi-oh, as “Satan wearing a mask.”
Cho had earlier testified to witnessing soldiers shooting at civilians from helicopters during the military suppression of the May 18 uprising ― a claim which Chun called a lie.
During the hearing, Chun claimed, “As far as I know, the military, at the time, did not open fire on civilians from helicopters. If the soldiers had shot from the helicopters then that would have caused a lot of casualties.”
Chun left his residence in western Seoul at 8:25 a.m., accompanied by his wife, former first lady Lee Soon-ja, and arrived at the court at 12:19 p.m.
Three cars ― two carrying aides and bodyguards, and one carrying the couple ― entered through the court building's rear entrance, not the main gate.
As he arrived, protesters and Gwangju citizens gathered in front of the court and chanted, “Chun Doo-hwan should reveal the truth of the Gwangju Uprising,” and “Chun Doo-hwan should shoulder the responsibility for the massacre and apologize.”
The protesters included mothers of the victims of the brutal crackdown.
Chun entered the court building without answering any questions from reporters.
During the May 18 uprising, thousands of Gwangju citizens rose up against the military junta led by Chun. According to official data, more than 200 people were killed, with 1,800 others wounded.
Prosecutors began an investigation into Chun's controversial statements published in the memoir after a nephew of the late priest sued the former president for defamation.
After the trial began in August 2018, Chun rejected two court summons, citing poor health, including a claim that he suffered form Alzheimer's disease that would prevent him from giving normal and meaningful testimony.
He has shown up for only one other hearing ― March 11 last year.
But his excuses of poor health have lost steam, following a series of incidents indicating that he was still in good enough shape to deal with court proceedings.
The authoritarian leader has been spotted having a lavish lunch with longtime aides from his dictatorial rule, while another video was released of Chun playing golf.