Kim Eun-koo, representative of Truth Forum, on a hunger strike at Olympic Park in Jamsil, Seoul. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

The Truth Forum tent at Olympic Park in Jamsil, Seoul, where Representative Kim Eun-koo is staging a hunger strike. ⒸFacebook

Kim Eun-koo, representative of the Seoul National University (SNU) Truth Forum, who has entered his ninth day of a hunger strike at Olympic Park in Jamsil, Seoul, has spoken out regarding the Baejae High School incident and the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.

On the 7th, Representative Kim stated via Facebook, "The Baejae High School incident is proof that a national consensus and shared understanding regarding May 18 have yet to be formed." He added, "Due to the incident involving the misappropriation of funds from the sale of the Democratic Justice Party headquarters, there was a political compromise and subsequent political ruling between major politicians like Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung, but national consensus and empathy remain far off."

Representative Kim continued, "First, if May 18 is indeed a proud democratization movement, the list of those recognized as persons of merit must be disclosed." He raised questions, asking why the names are hidden when being a person of merit—implying service to the nation—should be a source of personal pride and worthy of social respect.

Furthermore, he questioned whether May 18 was truly a "pure" democratization movement, stating that most North Korean defectors accept North Korean involvement in the event as an established fact.

He further pointed out that "it is difficult to conclude that the 2024 report by the May 18 Truth Commission has resolved all questions."

"In particular, regarding the so-called 'Jikba-15' investigation—the allegation of North Korean special forces infiltrating Gwangju during the May 18 movement—the scope of 'North Korean soldiers' was limited to 'a unit of at least hundreds of North Korean special forces,' not just one or two spies or guerrillas infiltrating under North Korean military status," he noted. "Therefore, it is difficult to conclude from the report's findings alone that the possibility of small-scale agents, spy networks, or other forms of North Korean involvement has been entirely eliminated. [Comprehensive Report, p.1113]"

Representative Kim argued that the ultimate truth will only come to light after North Korea is liberated, and asked why May 18 is being sanctified as a purely democratic movement in the current climate.

He challenged, "If May 18 is a democratization movement, the goal should be to democratically persuade citizens who do not easily accept it, rather than threatening them with 'gag laws' or, as in this recent case, forcing Baejae High School students to visit the May 18 Cemetery and threatening to shut down their school. Isn't this ironic, coming from people who claimed that 'democracy means being able to cheer for Kim Il-sung'?"

He added, "The SNU Truth Forum recently posted a manifesto pointing out these issues regarding May 18 and shared it on 'Everytime,' receiving more positive responses than expected." He remarked, "SNU 'Everytime' is a community site mainly used by undergraduates, and it serves as evidence that despite the sanctification of May 18, curiosity and doubts are growing naturally among the younger generation."

Representative Kim also expressed regret over the response from within the People Power Party regarding the Baejae High School incident, noting that reactions like "the students' actions were wrong, but the disciplinary measures are excessive" still miss the core of the issue.

Finally, he emphasized, "For May 18 to become a democratization movement supported by all citizens, it must at least provide answers to the questions raised in our manifesto that the public can find convincing. If that happens, it could be commemorated by everyone, across the political spectrum, as a movement of true democratic spirit." He added, "I, too, will strive for that."

The following is the 'Truth Forum May 18 Manifesto' attached by Representative Kim.

Oppose Constitutional Amendment! Is May 18 a Pure Democratization Movement?

- In pursuit of the truth as it is

"If a people's revolution occurs in South Korea, the first priority must be to thoroughly destroy the anti-national reactionary forces in this society. The number will be roughly 2 million. Only then can the revolution be fully completed... The number of 2 million may seem astronomical, but from the perspective of human history, it is not that significant." - Kim Nam-ju

"For May 18 to truly become a democratization movement respected by all citizens, it must not fear counter-arguments. It is not a matter to be enforced by law. Enforcing and threatening over historical evaluations where political interpretations differ is nothing but censorship and dictatorship." - July 15, 2024, SNU Truth Forum Manifesto

If not a socialist revolution, then why?

If May 18 is a pure democratization movement, how is it possible to honor Kim Nam-ju—who said 2 million people must be killed for a revolution in South Korea—as a hero of May 18? Chonnam National University commemorates him with a "Kim Nam-ju Hall" and "Kim Nam-ju Garden."

Kim Nam-ju was a key figure in forming the "South Korean National Liberation Front" (Namminjeon), which sought a socialist revolution in South Korea by imitating the South Vietnam National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) that played a leading role in the fall of South Vietnam.

He was also a main perpetrator in a robbery and assault case where he broke into the home of Dong-A Construction Chairman Choi Won-seok to secure funds for the revolution, stabbing a security guard. If May 18 is a true democratization movement—and not an armed uprising seeking a socialist revolution—it is common sense to at least distance it from Namminjeon and Kim Nam-ju.

Was there no North Korean involvement?

Dr. Michael Lee, who served long-term as a CIA operative, testified that while working in Vienna, Austria, in 1979, he obtained intelligence that North Korea’s 17th Special Forces Brigade was training for a "great upheaval" to liberate South Korea in the first half of 1980, and that he reported this to Washington.

He further testified that in early 1980, he intercepted and reported to Washington a directive from Kim Chung-rin, the director of the department responsible for South Korean affairs, to spy networks in the South, telling them: "Our revolutionary forces in South Korea will lead the event, and externally, you must advocate for democratization."

Regarding North Korean involvement, there is a tendency to use the 2024 May 18 Truth Commission report to threaten those who even suggest the possibility as if it were illegal. However, as the comprehensive report itself notes, the scope of the investigation into North Korean soldiers was "limited to 'a unit of at least hundreds of North Korean special forces,' not just the level of one or two spies or guerrillas infiltrating as North Korean soldiers." (Comprehensive Report, p.1113)

In other words, the possibility of infiltration by smaller special units or spy networks was not the subject of the report's investigation. Despite this, citing that report to dismiss all North Korean involvement as "conspiracy theory" is a serious distortion.

The question of whether or to what extent North Korea was involved requires more detailed research and review. Most North Korean defectors believe North Korean involvement in May 18 is a fact. The ultimate truth may only emerge after North Korea is liberated. Exaggerated claims may run rampant, but the work of uncovering the truth must fundamentally be based on free research and debate, grounded in freedom of expression.

It cannot be forced by sanctifying May 18 and lynching or punishing those who oppose it. In a situation where some level of North Korean involvement is naturally suspected, what is the motive behind forcing and sanctifying May 18 as a pure democratization movement and insisting on inserting it into the preamble of the Constitution?

Was it a spontaneous armed uprising of protesters enraged by the martial law troops' aimed fire?

The core narrative of the May 18 Democratization Movement is that it was a spontaneous armed uprising of the people against unjust state violence. The explanation that May 18 is a "pure" movement relies on the premise that protesters were enraged by the indiscriminate aimed fire of martial law troops in front of the South Jeolla Provincial Office at 1:00 PM on the 21st, leading them to raid armories and arm themselves.

The movie "May 18" depicts martial law troops firing at protesters singing the national anthem. However, there exist undeniable testimonies and evidence that armory raids took place before 1:00 PM on the 21st. (Armory raid incidents in the South Jeolla region during the May 18 Democratization Movement [Jikba-7], p.142)

Regardless of North Korean involvement, the "Freedom Notes" of Song Seon-tae suggest the possibility that the armed uprising, including the seizure of armories, was planned in advance. The "Freedom Notes," allegedly written by Song Seon-tae—who served as the chairman of the May 18 Truth Commission—one week before the events, specify plans for the "seizure of reserve force armories" and the "occupation of the provincial office." How should we interpret this?

The concealment of 'Freedom Notes' and the highly biased commission

What is surprising is that such important material as the "Freedom Notes" has not been made public. Whatever the truth of May 18, all data must be disclosed and verified by the public.

Why are the "Freedom Notes" being hidden? We want the truth as it is. We hope for the truth as it is, regardless of left or right.

However, the May 18 Truth Commission, established by the Moon Jae-in administration, was an extremely biased organization. The Special Act on the May 18 Truth Commission stipulates that commission members must recuse themselves if they or their spouses/former spouses are perpetrators, victims, or survivors of the case under investigation.

Despite this, it has been pointed out that Song Seon-tae, a May 18 person of merit who authored the "Freedom Notes" himself, was the chairman, and that many people participating in the investigation were also May 18 persons of merit or personally connected to them.

This is why the objectivity of the commission's activities and report cannot be trusted. How can a commission that fails to meet the basic qualifications for its members guarantee objectivity? This is why the May 18 Truth Commission, formed by the Moon Jae-in administration, can only be interpreted as a rubber stamp for the sanctification of May 18. And even such a biased committee could not find evidence to support the claim that Chun Doo-hwan ordered the firing.

The issue of May 18 persons of merit

To guarantee an objective investigation, the list of May 18 persons of merit must be disclosed. In particular, the names of those who participated in the investigation process and related individuals must be made public to ensure objectivity.

Currently, out of 5,769 recognized persons of merit, the names of over 1,300 are completely hidden. Even the list inscribed at the May 18 Memorial Park in Gwangju is only partial. Lee Yeo-jin, a former agent who worked as a counter-espionage investigator at the National Intelligence Service for 30 years, stated he was horrified to find that individuals who had been caught for espionage ties were masquerading as May 18 persons of merit.

In this situation, is it appropriate to include May 18 in the preamble of the Constitution? The May 18 Democratization Movement is the only case where the fact-finding and deliberation for designating persons of merit are delegated to or led by local governments. It is common sense that the evaluation for such honors should be transferred from Gwangju Metropolitan City to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to ensure fairness and objectivity.

Will you enforce the truth by law?

Finding the truth is not achieved by majority vote in a committee composed of one's own associates. Threatening those who hold different views from that decision by law is exactly what censorship and dictatorship are. Even though various interpretations of May 18 exist, completely ignoring this reality and forcing only the narrative that it is a "pure democratization movement" is nothing more than political propaganda. The work of uncovering the objective truth about May 18 is a task that must be carried out rigorously by everyone, regardless of political leaning or left-right divides.

Every death is tragic. The deaths of soldiers and police, as well as the deaths of protesters, are all sorrowful. One can express sympathy as a fellow human being even for those who died while fighting against the Republic of Korea, trapped in misguided ideologies. As we have passed through the modern history of the Korean Peninsula, where liberal democracy and communist totalitarianism clashed head-on, there have been tragedies and pains even within a single family due to differing beliefs. It is our history, and it is a pain we must embrace.

Whether there was North Korean involvement or not, the sacrifices of innocent victims must be cared for and honored. However, we cannot honor or compensate as victims or persons of merit those who cursed the Republic of Korea and sought to overthrow it to emulate Vietnam's socialist revolution. Unfortunately, the shadow of such people looms over May 18.

For May 18 to become a democratization movement respected by all citizens, and to receive support as a movement for liberal democracy and the protection of constitutional order, there must be a self-purification process to filter out anti-state forces that sought to overthrow the Republic of Korea by imitating the Vietnamese model.

Only then will we be able to commemorate May 18 as a pure democratization movement together. The discussion about inserting it into the preamble of the Constitution will only be possible after that.

If we focus on the truth, May 18 is no longer a battle between left and right. It is a battle between truth and falsehood. Amidst these conflicting, extreme perspectives, can we actually form a unified national consensus on May 18? Political positions may differ. However, our discussion must be based on the truth. I sincerely hope that from that truth, the fundamental restoration, healing, reconciliation, and mutual prosperity of the Republic of Korea will be achieved.

May 18, 2026

Truth Forum