In a moving display of remorse and humility, Chun Woo Won, the 27-year-old grandson of former South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan, knelt before the victims of the Gwangju Democratization Movement and their bereaved families on March 31, seeking their forgiveness.

During a press conference, Chun Woo Won acknowledged the atrocities committed by his grandfather, stating that the Gwangju massacre of May 18, 1980, should never be repeated. He bowed his head and added that his grandfather was a criminal who was responsible for the massacre.

Moved by his apology, the mothers of the victims of the Gwangju Uprising expressed their gratitude and praised Chun Woo Won for his courage to apologize. The mother of Moon Jae Hak, a high school student who died as a martyr during the Gwangju Democratization Movement, extended her sympathies and encouraged him to pursue the truth and work toward reconciliation.

After the press conference, Chun Woo Won visited the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery and paid his respects to the 10 victims buried there, including Moon Jae Hak. He removed his coat and wiped the tombstones one by one, demonstrating his sincere remorse and commitment to honoring the memory of the victims.

The Gwangju Democratization Movement was a pivotal moment in South Korea's history, with citizens standing up against the military dictatorship for democracy and human rights. The brutal suppression of the movement resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, leaving scars that continue to affect the victims and their families to this day. Chun Woo Won's apology is seen as an essential step toward healing and reconciliation.