During the May 18 Democratization Movement, a member of the Airborne Corps, who participated in the martial law army, sought apology and forgiveness from the survivors of the victims who died in their own fire.
This is the first time the perpetrator has expressed his intention to apologize to the bereaved, confessing that he had killed a certain person by firing himself.
On the afternoon of the 16th, yesterday (16th) afternoon, by the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Investigation Committee, a meeting was held between the family members of the late Byeong-Hyun Park, a victim, and the airborne squad member A who participated in the May 18 suppression operation at the National 5 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. .
Mr. A confessed his actions and announced to the investigative committee that he would apologize to the bereaved family.
At this meeting, Mr. A apologized and asked for forgiveness for the death of the deceased in his shooting.
He said, “I am sorry for the pain that cannot be washed by any words,” and “it seemed like my apology would cause another pain.”
Mr. A, who raised a big bow to the bereaved family, said, “I have suffered a sense of guilt for the past 40 years,” and said, “I am glad I can meet the bereaved family now and ask for forgiveness.”
Regarding Mr. A’s apology, 73-year-old Park Jong-soo, the deceased’s older brother, said, “Thank you for apologizing even late,” and “I think I’ve met my dead brother again.”
He also hugged Mr. A, saying, “I’m so glad and thankful for coming out with courage.”
The deceased, a 25-year-old young man at the time of May 18, was killed by Mr. A, who was a member of the 7th Airborne Brigade, 33rd, 8th Region, who was on patrol while passing near the Nodaenamje Reservoir in Nodae-dong, Nam-gu to help with farming.
In the investigation, Mr. A stated that “two civilian young men walking in the direction of Hwasun during the patrol saw us and ordered us to stop when they ran away.”
Mr. A also said, “There were no firearms or other threatening objects around the scene of the deceased’s death.”
The Investigation Committee has confirmed a number of cases similar to Mr. A’s confession through investigations, and plans to actively arrange meetings in the future if there is mutual intention between the martial law forces and the victim’s survivors.
(Photo = Courtesy of the May 18 Democratization Movement Investigation Committee, Yonhap News)