“Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental rights of the people. Fundamental rights belong to natural rights, which are perpetual and inviolable rights that cannot be controlled by any law.” 

During the 5·18 Gwangju Uprising, I was a third-year student in the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Chosun University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Therefore, I know more about 5·18 than anyone else, and I can say I have a deeper affection for 5·18 than anyone.

I have long fought against those who defame 5·18 as a riot and have strived to protect the honor of 5·18.

However, after realizing that the '5·18 Organizations' and 'Gwangju City' were among those who defame the honor of 5·18, I have been in conflict with them up to the present.

A prime example of the 5·18 Organizations and Gwangju City defaming the honor of 5·18 is their prosecution and accusation of journalists, writers, and columnists who seek to reveal the truth, thereby trampling on the freedom of expression and freedom of the press, which are natural rights.

Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental rights of the people. Fundamental rights belong to natural rights, which are perpetual and inviolable rights that cannot be controlled by any law. 

The actions taken by the 5·18 Organizations and Gwangju City can be said to be contrary to the historical significance and purity of 5·18. 

I have always argued that 5·18 should be quietly laid to rest in history and have published numerous articles expressing concern about 5·18 being politically exploited. Therefore, I believe 5·18 should no longer be a subject of controversy.

Thus, I believe that the criteria and judgment for commemorating 5·18 should be based on facts and determined through free discussion and consultation among the people. 

The current self-righteous actions of the 5·18 Organizations are an act of coercing the fundamental rights of the people. No citizen will agree with illogical actions that silence the people.

Fundamental rights are not rights created by the state or the constitution. This is because they are natural rights (天賦人權). This means that even the state or the constitution cannot compel them. 

Therefore, if power attempts to control the fundamental rights of the people, it constitutes a violation of the constitution. Various assertions, both positive and negative, related to 5·18 fall under freedom of expression. 

The freedom of expression stipulated in Article 21 of the Constitution is a fundamental right that every human being can possess.

Fundamental rights are rights that can never be forfeited and are perpetual rights recognized for future generations. They cannot be abolished even through the constitutional amendment process. This is called the perpetuity of fundamental rights. Furthermore, the essential content of basic human rights cannot be infringed upon by administrative or judicial power, let alone legislative power.

The refusal of the 5·18 Organizations and Gwangju City to tolerate legitimate criticism of 5·18 is an anti-democratic and self-righteous act.

The numerous lawsuits and accusations related to 5·18 are causing 5·18 to become isolated on its own, leading to 5·18 becoming a subject of hatred and confrontation rather than being loved by the people. 

I ask 5·18: Why can’t it become an open 5·18? Why does it become an object of world criticism through closure and self-righteousness? I hope that 5·18 will move forward into the world, taking the trial of writer Kim Gyu-na as an opportunity.

Poet Jeong Jae-hak from Jeollado