The widow of South Korea’s last military dictator issues a brief apology over the “pains and scars” caused by her husband Chun Doo-hwan's brutal rule as people pay their final respects to him.
’s last military dictator issued a brief apology over the “pains and scars” caused by her husband’s brutal rule as dozens of relatives and former aides gathered at a Seoul hospital on Saturday to pay their final respects to Chun Doo-hwan.
“As we wrap up the funeral procession today, I would like to offer a deep apology on behalf of our family toward the people who suffered pains and scars during my husband’s time in office,” said Lee, without specifying Chun’s misdeeds.
Lee Jae-myung, the South Korean governing party’s candidate for the presidential election in March next year, said the comments by Chun’s widow “insulted the citizens of Gwangju and our people.” Chun’s coup extended military-backed rule of the country following the assassination of his mentor and former army general, Park Chung-Hee, who had held power since 1961. During their back-to-back dictatorships, South Koreans suffered huge human rights abuses although the national economy grew dramatically from the ruins of the 1950-53 Korean War.
Former South Korean president Chun Doo-hwan and his successor Roh Tae-woo, who were sentenced life in jail for mutiny, treason and bribery, pictured in 1996.Trying to develop relations with the democratic West and reduce the number of mouths to feed at home, Chun’s government also facilitated the international adoptions of Korean children, mostly to white families in America and Europe, creating what is now the world’s largest diaspora of adoptees.
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