Professor Kim Jae-ho of Chonnam National University “The May 18 Special Law Suppresses Democracy”

Jaeho Kim, Professor of Economics, Chonnam National University [김재호 교수 페이스북]

‘Abolish democracy and evil laws that insult the May 18’
This is the title of a statement posted by Professor Kim Jae-ho of the Department of Economics at Chonnam National University on the online bulletin board of Chonnam University faculty members on the 22nd of last month. Professor Kim posted this article because of the 5·18 Historical Distortion Penalty Act passed by the National Assembly on the 9th of last month (hereinafter referred to as the 5·18 Special Act). He criticized strongly, saying, “The legacy of democracy and the rule of law in Korea and the great democratic struggles of Gwangju and Honam will be recorded in history as an unfortunate day in the trash.” At the same time, he argued that “even the historical significance of May 18 will be damaged.”

In the article of Professor Kim, the 5 18 Research Center affiliated with Chonnam National University launched. They issued a rebuttal statement on the 24th and demanded that the statement be withdrawn, saying, “It is necessary to think about controlling expressions of Nazi praise in Germany by law.”
Taking into account the symbolic meaning of Chonnam National University in Gwangju, which is called the Holy Land of May 18, Professor Kim’s public statement is an unusual’event’. Why did Professor Kim break the seal of the 5·18 special law? On the 6th, I spoke with Professor Kim to hear his opinion. The following are questions and answers.

Photos from the time of 5.18. It was taken by former JoongAng Ilbo photographer Lee Chang-seong, and was also featured in his 2008 photo book, The Promise in 28 Years. [사진 이창성]

-5.18 Why did you oppose the special law?
=This law imposes up to 5 years in prison or up to 50 million won in fines for denying, slandering, distorting or fabricating the 5.18 Democratization Movement by spreading false information. However, it is ambiguous that it is a false fact. Each perspective and interpretation of history may be different. However, it is very inappropriate for the state to define historical facts and punish them for contrary. These laws were handled without any discussion. The problem is that it was established without any social consensus or consensus process.

-Why is this law inappropriate?
= It is a law that limits the freedom of expression, assembly, association, and the press, which are the fundamentals of democracy guaranteed by the Constitution. May 18 became the basis of democracy achieved in 1987, and this special law contradicts the basic spirit of May 18.

-5·18 Research Institute says that a special law is needed to control Nazi praise in Germany.
=It is an inverted thought that doesn’t make sense at all. The start of totalitarianism is to suppress the press and freedom of expression by making such a law. Serious distortions against May 18 can be sued and punished even under the current law. There is also such an example. Also, the Nazis slaughtered millions, and although they once won the support of most of the German people, it is the informal media or very few people who distorted the 5·18 in Korea. It is impossible to compare both on the same line. Because of these very few, creating a special law that restricts even the fundamental principles of democracy is to use a’knife to catch chickens’ and it is an over-legislation.

Adolf Hitler and the German people who alleged him [중앙포토]

-As a Chonnam National University professor, it would have been burdensome to post such a statement…
= I felt serious that there was no public debate and no discussion even in the space of a university even though this law was passed. When I post on the bulletin board, there are many people who disagree (to my opinion), but some agree. But most are still silent. It is difficult to fully agree on either side, and it seems that it is such a complicated feeling that I am reluctant to oppose it. In fact, it is not only a story to be told in Chonnam National University or Gwangju, it is a problem that the entire Korean society should tell. In the political world, especially the conservative party, if you touch the 5·18 incorrectly, you will be attacked again. This is a very important law. Don’t be silent now.

-If so, how do you think 5 18 should be handled?
=I also live in Gwangju and have been to Chonnam National University for over 20 years. I also thought a lot about how it would be desirable to think and evaluate May 18. In the end, the important thing is to make May 18 not only Gwangju, but the assets of the whole people. It is also that they must play a positive role that helps society as a whole. Various materials on May 18 should not be monopolized by any committee, but should be accessible to all and free discussions should take place. Then, naturally, the value of 5·18 can be evaluated and become an asset of the people. When we speak of 4·19, we don’t have to connect with a specific area.
However, who would accept it if we made a law like this to suppress democracy and freedom and inherit the spirit of May 18? Suppose someone is punished by this measure. What will be the public opinion. The more so, the 5·18 will isolate Honam and narrow it down to Gwangju’s own problems. This is what I am sorry for.

On the morning of August 19, last year, Kim Jong-in, chairman of the National Power Emergency Response Committee, kneels and worships at the National 5 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. [연합뉴스]

-How is public opinion in Gwangju?
Along with the opposing statement, a signing campaign to abolish the 5·18 Special Law is also underway. Representatives from the Honam region, including Dong-shik Joo, the representative of the Regional Equal Citizens’ Solidarity, also joined. Of course, most of them are not opposed to the 5·18 special law. However, there is definitely a different voice in Honam. I want to inform you about that.

Reporter Yoo Seong-woon [email protected]