Ex-dictator Chun shows no remorse for 1980 massacre in Gwangju trial [PHOTOS]

Former President Chun Doo-hwan arrives at Gwangju District Court, Monday, to attend a libel case trial over his alleged defaming of a deceased pro-democracy activist, priest Cho Bi-oh. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Lee Suh-yoon

Former President Chun Doo-hwan was forced to show up at a courtroom in Gwangju, Monday, for a hearing in a libel case brought against him. Gwanju is where hundreds of pro-democracy activists were gunned down or beaten to death almost four decades ago during a military crackdown he ordered on the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

Chun, 87, showed no signs of remorse as he left his home in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, with his wife Lee Soon-ja, and before entering the Gwangju District Court at 12:30 p.m. ― two hours before the scheduled hearing.

"What do you think you are doing!" he angrily snapped at a reporter who asked him if he denied having ordered the military to open fire on civilian protesters, as he made his way into the court with his aides.

Earlier, as Chun left his house, he was given loud vocal support from ultra-conservative groups who claimed the former president was being forced into a "communist trial."

Chun, who ruled the country from 1980 to 1988, was previously sentenced to death by the Seoul Central District Court in 1996 after being found guilty of treason for his role in a 1979 military coup, the massacre of the hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators in Gwangju, and bribery.

The sentence was later reduced to life in prison by an appeals court, and in December 1997, then-President Kim Dae-jung granted Chun and another former president, Roh Tae-woo, special pardons in a gesture of political reconciliation.

Posters with messages of condemnation and photos of the 1980 Gwangju massacre victims greet Chun Doo-hwan as his car arrives in front of Gwangju District Court, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Reporters and citizens stand on a portrait of Chun Doo-hwan outside Gwangju District Court. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

This time, Chun faces the charge of defaming in his 2017 memoir a key eyewitness of the massacres, the now deceased priest Cho Bi-oh, who testified about troops in helicopters machine gunning civilians.

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In his book ― now subject to a court-ordered ban ― Chun called Cho a "masked Satan" and a "shameless liar unworthy of the ecclesiastical title." He also referred to the pro-democracy uprising as a "revolt caused by North Korean military intervention."

One of the main points of contention in the libel case is whether Chun knew about the helicopter attacks on the civilians, and whether he criticized Cho even though he was aware of them. He has so far maintained in written testimony that there were no such attacks.

During the hearing, when the judge notified him of his right to refuse to testify, Chun said, "I don't understand what you mean." So the judge repeated the notification.

He answered "yes" to the judge's questions regarding his personal information such as date of birth and address.

His wife sat at his side.

Chun's lawyer denied all the libel allegations, and the hearing ended after about 75 minutes, with the next hearing set for April 8.

Former President Chun Doo-hwan responds "What do you think you are doing!" to a reporter's question about his involvement in the 1980 Gwangju Massacre as he enters Gwangju District Court, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Police hold back protesters holding up signs calling on Chun Doo-hwan to apologize in front of Gwangju District Court. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Although the Gwangju court held its first hearing for the case last August, Chun refused to appear, claiming he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and thus was unable to properly answer questions in court due to his deteriorating memory.

The court again called him in January for a second hearing but Chun said he could not attend because of flu. It then issued a subpoena, saying he would face arrest if he refused to appear for a third time. Chun then said he would attend the next hearing.

Gwangju citizens formed long lines outside the court last Friday to get visitors' passes to sit in on Monday's hearing.

Those who didn't land a seat surrounded the court with posters calling on Chun to apologize to the people of Gwangju and accept the punishment he deserves. Chun previously requested the trial be transferred to a Seoul court for "political neutrality" but this was refused.

Lee Chul-woo, a board member of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, called Chun's court attendance in Gwangju a "historic event."

"If Chun repents for the first time in 39 years, we can finally set distorted parts of history right," Lee said at a press conference Sunday.

Chun Doo-hwan makes his way back to his car after attending a court hearing at Gwangju District Court, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A woman breaks down on the street after Chun's car drives away. Several Gwangju citizens tried to stop Chun from leaving the court after his hearing. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul