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Former President Chun Doo-hwan once again did not attend a hearing of his libel suit, Monday, despite intensifying public calls for putting him on trial.
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| Chun Doo-hwan |
Hence, the public, especially citizens from Gwangju where his bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters took place in 1980 and his libel suit is now being tried, is urging the judiciary authorities to forcibly bring him to the courtroom or even arrest him.
The latest and ninth hearing of Chun's defamation trial linked to his role in the 1980 Gwangju Uprising took place at the Gwangju District Court, Monday. But as his close aide announced last week, the 88-year-old did not show up, citing poor health, including Alzheimer's disease that would prevent him from making a normal and meaningful testimony. Only two former ranking Army officers who were dispatched to Gwangju attended it on his behalf.
Chun, who ruled the country from 1980 to 1988, was indicted in May last year for describing activist priest Cho Chul-hyun, also known as Cho Bi-oh, as "Satan wearing a mask" in his memoir released in early 2017. Cho earlier testified to witnessing soldiers shooting at civilians from helicopters during the military suppression of the pro-democracy uprising ― a claim which Chun calls a lie.
Cho's family sued Chun for libel and since the trial began in August 2018, the former Army general has shown up for only one hearing, March 11, citing Alzheimer's. In May, Gwangju District Court allowed him to skip hearings until sentencing.
However, the court's leniency is not being backed up by Chun's recent acts.
Last week as the authoritarian leader was spotted having a lavish luncheon with longtime aides from his dictatorial rule, Thursday, to mark the 40th anniversary of his military coup on Dec. 12, 1979. A video clip showing the feast was made public by Justice Party deputy leader Lim Han-sol.
The video release led to public demands that the court stop the leniency granted him and bring him to court immediately.
"Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Before it is too late, we have to bring him to justice by arresting him," an official of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said.
Cho Young-dae, a nephew of the deceased priest, said the court should make more efforts to reveal the truth by putting Chun on the stand.
"Socially weak people are often arrested, indicted or put behind bars from the courtroom. But the court is favoring Chun, who committed a grave crime, while it is aware the health issue is a mere lie," Cho said in front of the court.
Last month, another video of Chun playing golf was shot and shared by Lim. This also showed Chun apparently not as sick as he claimed to be.
Meanwhile, Baekdam Temple on Mount Seorak in Gangwon Province recently removed all belongings that Chun used during his two-year stay, its representative said. In November 1988, Chun apologized for having stashed away a large amount of funds during his eight-year term and retired to the Buddhist temple.
After Chun left the temple, it had displayed his belongings such as clothing, sleeping gear and a dressing table.
Also, the Army has removed promotional pictures of Chun and Roh Tae-woo, another former president who was a key figure in Chun's military coup, from its units in accordance with the defense ministry's revised regulations that ban photo displays of former commanders convicted of treason or aiding the enemy.
