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| Chun Woo-won, the grandson of the late former President Chun Doo-hwan, answers reporters' questions in Gwangju, Thursday. Yonhap |
By Jun Ji-hye
The grandson of former authoritarian ruler Chun Doo-hwan will visit the May 18 National Cemetery in Gwangju on Friday to make an official apology to the victims of his grandfather's deadly suppression of the pro-democracy movement in the southwestern city in 1980.
According to civic groups related to the Gwangju Uprising, Woo-won, the grandson of the former dictator, will also attend meetings with the bereaved families and injured participants of the pro-democracy movement.
Then, he will hold a press conference to make a public apology, something that his grandfather refused to do.
Chun Doo-hwan, who was president from 1980 to 1988 after seizing power through a military coup in December 1979, is criticized for his ordering the military to carry out the violent suppression of the Gwangju democratic movement that began on May 18, 1980.
Thousands of Gwangju citizens rose up against the military junta led by Chun. More than 200 people were killed and 1,800 were wounded, according to official data.
The former dictator died at age 90 from chronic ailments in November 2021, having neither acknowledged nor apologized for his wrongdoings.
The younger Chun, 27, has been making media headlines since March 13 over his series of revelations through Instagram, YouTube and various media interviews regarding the alleged slush funds held by members of his family.
Calling his grandfather a "mass murderer," Woo-won has expressed his willingness to make an apology to the bereaved families and victims of the deadly acts of the military government under the command of his grandfather.
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| Chun Woo-won, the grandson of the late dictator Chun Doo-hwan, bows in front of a hotel upon his arrival in Gwangju, Thursday. Yonhap |
He headed to Gwangju right after he was released Wednesday after being apprehended the previous day upon his arrival at Incheon International Airport from New York ― where he lives ― for suspected illegal drug use.
Police said they will continue to investigate him without physical detention in consideration that he confessed to his wrongdoings.
"I came to Gwangju for the first time in my life after having avoided the visit out of fear and selfishness," the 27-year-old told reporters upon his arrival in Gwangju in the early hours of Thursday. "I want to do my best to make an apology as I know this is a very meaningful opportunity."
Cho Jin-tae, a senior official from the May 18 Memorial Foundation, said his group has decided to extend a "warm welcome" to Woo-won, as he voluntarily returned to Korea to make an apology even though he knew he would be apprehended in Korea for illegal drug use.
"I feel sorry for him as I think this young man has also endured a tough life while living as a grandson of Chun Doo-hwan," Cho said during his appearance on CBS radio.
According to Cho, some bereaved families raised concerns over the credibility of Woo-won as he faced allegations of illegal drug use, but most of them later agreed with the need to listen to him.
"We also plan to request the government to investigate slash funds possessed by Chun Doo-hwan's families as witnessed by Woo-won," Cho added.
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