The Gwangju Uprising, a pivotal movement in modern South Korean history, has recently been making headlines due to the actions of Chun Woo-won, the grandson of Korea’s former president Chun Doo-hwan. Since March 13, Chun has been publicly disclosing a series of revelations about his family’s criminal activity and has apologized to the victims and families of those who were killed or injured by the military during the uprising. With his apology, the wounds of Gwangju have been examined once again, reigniting discussions about reconciliation. For the June issue, The Granite Tower (GT) revisits the Gwangju Uprising and explores the implications of Chun’s confessions for the ongoing quest for truth and healing.
On May 18, 1980, citizens of Gwangju took to the streets to protest the military dictatorship led by Chun Doo- hwan. They demanded democratic reform, an end to martial law, and the release of political prisoners. Yet the government responded with violence, sending in troops and tanks to quell the demonstrations. In addition to the protestors themselves, innocent people who did not participate in the protests were assaulted and killed, which fueled the uprising. Over the next 10 days, clashes between protesters and the military resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries. According to Professor Kim Sang Bong (Philosophy, Chonnam National University), the community that developed over these 10 days was not just engaged in a “struggle for their own rights” but also “responded to the suffering of others”. Despite the brutal suppression, the uprising sparked a wave of pro-democracy movements across the country, eventually leading to South Korea’s democratization in the late 1980s. Professor Kim believes that the movement presented a vision for a new community that humanity could pursue.
The Revelations
On March 13, Chun Woo-won posted a video on his Instagram account calling his grandfather a “slaughterer” and accusing his family of allegedly using money from hidden assets. Since then, Chun has launched a series of harsh criticisms of and accusations against his family members. He uploaded images of his family and the safe at their house where slush funds were hidden and even revealed personal information about acquaintances that had never been made public. After continuing to announce these revelations in the United States (U.S.) via social media and interviews, Chun finally returned to Korea to apologize to the victims of the Gwangju Uprising.
On May 31, Chun met with the bereaved families and surviving victims of the Gwangju Uprising at the May 18 Memorial Culture Center in Gwangju. He called his grandfather a “criminal” who “stamped on heroes who fought against the military dictatorship with military boots, instead of promoting the development of democracy.” According to SBS, he explained that, as a child, he was taught that the democratic uprising was a riot and that his grandfather and family members were the heroes and victims. Kneeling in front of the victims and wiping the dust off the tombstone of an anonymous martyr who fought for democracy, Chun vowed to repent and express regrets for his family’s wrongdoings for the rest of his life. It was clear that he displayed great courage, and some of the bereaved family members burst into tears when accepting his apology.
Reconciliation and Forgiveness
What needs to be made clear is that it was Chun Doo-hwan who was responsible for the Gwangju Uprising, not Chun Woo-won, as he was just a child back then. Regardless, he was willing to apologize because, as expressed in an interview with SBS, he thought that “as a member of the family, it was a sin to remain silent and do nothing.” Previously, Chun admitted to using drugs and stated that he was willing to accept punishment for it upon returning to Korea. Watching Chun’s sudden moves, some have expressed concerns that the use of drugs makes his apology faithless and that he should not be considered a hero.
Despite these concerns, Chun’s apology has great significance in terms of modern Korean history. For decades, the military regime and its supporters have portrayed the uprising as a “riot” rather than a legitimate pro-democracy movement, but his apology has reignited discussions on the Gwangju Uprising, leading people to confront the truth and acknowledge the injustices committed by Chun Doo-hwan’s regime. An apology coming from the grandson of the man who ordered the violent suppression is also a significant gesture toward acknowledging the trauma and pain inflicted upon the victims and their families. Professor Kim says a sincere apology is a prerequisite for reconciliation and forgiveness as he believes that the power of truth allowed Chun to apologize and that his apology has immeasurable value. “As someone who lived in the same era, I express deep gratitude and respect for the young man’s bravery,” remarks Professor Kim.
According to Gwangju Ilbo, after Chun’s apology, interest and a sense of responsibility are driving people to visit sites related to the Gwangju Uprising, such as the May 18 Archives and the Jeonil Building 245. In particular, with the interest of university students surging, there is a belief that the so-called “Chun Woo-won effect” will help to spread awareness of the democratization movement nationally and even globally. Following March 31st, visitors from various regions have left messages in the guestbook of the May 18 Cemetery, expressing their condolences for the deceased and apologizing for coming too late.
“The Gwangju Uprising was a turning point in South Korea’s democracy movement, and we all owe our freedom to the incident,” says Professor Kim. In this movement, it was realized that freedom cannot be obtained or preserved without civic courage, and the government that massacres its citizens will eventually be punished by the hands of its citizens. In this respect, Chun’s apology has shed new light on the significance of the uprising, particularly how much civic courage, dedication, and sacrifice that democracy requires. His apology is a small but important step towards healing the wounds of the past and building a more democratic and just society for the future.