How much do you know about the Gwangju uprising & modern history of South Korea?

Summary

Former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan, now 88, appeared in court in Gwangju, the site of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising against his regime. Chun, who seized power after the 1979 assassination of President Park Chung-hee, led South Korea through the 1980s with a focus on anti-communism. His brutal suppression of the Gwangju uprising resulted in hundreds of deaths, a topic that remains divisive in modern Korea. Chun faced new charges of defamation over claims in his memoirs but continues to deny responsibility or offer an apology for the crackdown.

Takeaways

• 📸 Former South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan appeared in court in Gwangju, 23 years after his 1996 trial for treason and other charges.
• 🏛️ The court appearance took place in Gwangju, the site of the 1980 pro-democracy uprising against Chun's authoritarian rule.
• 🎥 Chun had lived a relatively quiet life since his 1997 presidential pardon, after being released from prison.
• 💂‍♂️ Chun seized power in a military coup following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979, becoming the de facto ruler by December 12th, 1979.
• 👑 Chun officially became President of South Korea in September 1980, serving until 1988.
• 🌍 His foreign policy focused on combating communism from North Korea, the Soviet Union, and China during the Cold War.
• 💣 Chun survived a North Korean assassination attempt in Rangoon, Burma, in 1983 and a North Korean bombing of Korean Air Flight 858 in 1987.
• 📚 Chun was indicted again in 2018 for defaming a deceased priest who had witnessed the military's violent suppression of the Gwangju protests.
• 🚁 The late priest claimed to have seen soldiers firing at citizens from helicopters, but Chun called him a 'liar' in his 2017 memoir.
• ⚖️ The Gwangju uprising remains a deeply divisive issue in South Korea, with ideological clashes between conservatives and liberals over its interpretation.

Q & A

Who was Chun Doo-hwan, and why is he significant in South Korean history?

Chun Doo-hwan was a former South Korean president who seized power in a military coup in 1979. He is significant due to his authoritarian rule and his role in the suppression of the pro-democracy Gwangju uprising in 1980.

What event led to Chun Doo-hwan's rise to power?

Chun Doo-hwan's rise to power began after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in October 1979. He took control of the Korean army in December 1979 after arresting the Army Chief of Staff without authorization.

What was the Gwangju uprising, and why is it important in modern Korean history?

The Gwangju uprising was a pro-democracy movement in May 1980 against Chun Doo-hwan's military rule. It is important as it represents the struggle for democracy in South Korea and the brutal government crackdown that resulted in the deaths of around 200 people.

How did Chun Doo-hwan become president of South Korea?

Chun Doo-hwan became president after then-President Choi Kyu-ha, who had become a figurehead, resigned in August 1980. Chun was elected by the National Conference for Unification and inaugurated as president in September 1980.

What foreign policies did Chun Doo-hwan focus on during his presidency?

Chun's foreign policies during the Cold War were centered on combating communism from North Korea, the Soviet Union, and Communist China. He also survived a North Korean assassination attempt in Burma in 1983.

What charges was Chun Doo-hwan facing in the recent court appearance?

Chun was facing charges of defaming a deceased priest, Cho Chul-hyun, in his memoirs. The priest had claimed to witness military forces firing at civilians from helicopters during the Gwangju uprising, which Chun denied.

How did Chun Doo-hwan describe the late priest Cho Chul-hyun in his memoirs?

In his memoirs, Chun Doo-hwan described Cho Chul-hyun as 'Satan in a mask' and 'a shameless liar,' which led to defamation charges filed by Cho's nephew, also a priest.

What were the results of the Gwangju uprising in terms of casualties?

The Gwangju uprising resulted in the deaths of around 200 people and about 1,000 injuries due to the military's brutal crackdown on the protesters.

Why has Chun Doo-hwan never apologized for the Gwangju uprising?

Chun Doo-hwan has never admitted responsibility or apologized for the crackdown during the Gwangju uprising, despite protests and calls for him to do so. His refusal to apologize remains a point of contention in South Korean society.

Why is the Gwangju uprising still a deeply divided issue in South Korea?

The Gwangju uprising remains a contentious issue due to ideological differences between conservatives and liberals in South Korea. The event's historical interpretation and Chun's role in it continue to provoke political and emotional divisions.