[앵커]
Jeon Woo-won, the grandson of the late Chun Doo-hwan, apologized to the victims of the May 18th and to the citizens of Gwangju.
I also visited the National 5/18 Democratic Cemetery and visited the old Jeonnam Provincial Office, the site of the last 5/18 resistance.
More details Let’s talk about the details with reporter Park Yo-jin of Gwangju CBS.
Reporter Park. Jeon Woo-won’s apology continued all day today?
[기자]
yes. Jeon Woo-won arrived at the May 18 Memorial Cultural Center around 10 am today.
This is the start of the official Gwangju schedule.
Mr. Jeon held a tea meeting for about 10 minutes with the officials of the group in May.
Afterwards, Jeon met with the bereaved families and victims of the May 18th.
At this meeting, Mr. Jeon defined the 5·18 Democratization Movement as a massacre that should never happen again and said that the main culprit was his grandfather Chun Doo-hwan.
Previously, Jeon Woo-won said of the May 18 Democratization Movement, “It is the scene and tragedy of a massacre that should never happen again.” “I think the main culprit is my grandfather Chun Doo-hwan.”
Afterwards, Jeon Woo-won moved directly to the bereaved family of the May 18th, apologized and bowed deeply.
The May 18 bereaved family paid homage to Mr. Jeon’s courage and stood him up and hugged him as he bowed deeply.
[앵커]
Jeon Woo-won visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and paid his respects, right?
[기자]
yes. After an hour-long meeting, Jeon immediately moved to the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery.
Mr. Jeon, thank you from the bottom of my heart for turning the darkness that is me into the light in the guest book at the entrance of the cemetery.
The true fathers of democracy are all those buried here.”
Afterwards, Jeon laid flowers and burned incense and visited the graves of the first deceased and the youngest deceased in the May 18 Democratization Movement who were missing.
Mr. Jeon found the graveyard and knelt down, as well as taking off his overcoat and wiping the tombstone.
At the same time, he expressed his apology for not preparing a towel to wipe the tombstone in advance.
After visiting the Democratic Cemetery, Jeon Woo-won said, “Thank you for allowing a sinner like me a valuable opportunity.”
[앵커]
There were many citizens who supported Jeon’s visit to Gwangju.
[기자]
yes Gwangju citizens, as well as the bereaved families and victims of the 5·18 Incident, visited the National Cemetery after hearing the news of Mr. Jeon’s visit to the Democratic Cemetery.
Citizens thank Jeon Woo-won, cheer up. They also shouted “fighting” and cheered.
Kim Gil-ja, a bereaved family of May 18, hugged Jeon and asked, “Thank you for coming. It’s like hugging my son. Please do your best to find out the truth.”
[앵커]
Visiting the National Cemetery was the official schedule for Mr. Jeon’s visit to Gwangju. What were the schedules in the afternoon?
[기자]
yes. After lunch, Mr. Chun took a short break and visited the old Jeonnam Provincial Office, the site of the last protest on May 18th.
Members of the May 18 Mothers’ Association were curious about the reason why Jeon decided to visit Gwangju and apologize, and requested that Mr. Jeon continue to make efforts to find out the truth about the May 18th.
In response, Mr. Jeon showed a position that he would continue to make efforts in the future, not a one-time visit.
[앵커]
It has been 43 years since the May 18 Democratization Movement occurred, but it is the first apology from the Chun Doo-hwan family.
What is the reaction of the May group and Gwangju citizens?
[기자]
yes. As I mentioned earlier, I was curious about what made Jeon decide to visit Gwangju and apologize.
In a way, it is not easy to find a grandson who is neither a son nor a son to apologize directly.
The citizens of Gwangju are curious about the occasion or cause, but they believe in Mr. Jeon’s sincerity and welcome it.
The atmosphere was so good that the members of the May Mothers’ Association asked them to visit Gwangju and themselves whenever they had time, and Mr. Jeon responded with a smile.
[앵커]
In less than 20 days after Mr. Jeon conveyed his apology through social media, it led to an actual apology.
What is the reaction of the groups in May?
[기자]
yes. In a big frame, they are in a similar position to the citizens of Gwangju.
Groups in May said they did not imagine that Chun Doo-hwan’s descendants would come after 43 years, and saw it as solid courage.
When you show true reflection, you expressed your position that you must forgive.
Won Soon-seok, chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, said, “I never imagined that Chun Doo-hwan’s descendants would come after 43 years.” said.
[앵커]
We hope that Mr. Jeon’s visit to apologize this time will continue to uncover the truth about the May 18th.
