The Fifth Republic of Korea closes in 25 years

Former President Chun Doo-hwan announced through his first son Chun Jae-kook an apology to the nation Tuesday along with his plan to pay his unpaid fines of 167.2 billion won (154.2 million U.S. dollars). His payment is expected to put an end to the political vestiges of the Fifth Republic of Korea in 25 years since its end in 1988.

This finalization will help normalize Korea’s contemporary history, which was distorted by the launch of the Fifth Republic established through a military coup in December 1979 and a bloody crackdown on people who participated in the pro-democracy movement in 1980. The Park Geun-hye administration deserves credit for this achievement because no following administrations of the Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak administrations could do it. More than anything else, the announcement of the Chun family is said to have significance in the contemporary history of Korea because it fully meets the public and historic expectations for the rule of law and a fair society.

Chun Jae-kook, the eldest son of the former president, made a public apology and announced the plan to pay the remaining fines while appearing at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office around 3 p.m. Tuesday. After bowing down to the nation, he said, “I deeply apologize for having caused troubles to the people on behalf of everyone in my family,” adding, “My father told us long time ago to cooperate with the authorities and we have tried to meet the request. Due to obstacles, however, carrying out the will of our father took a long time. About the delay, we feel very sorry.” After finishing the announcement, he gave a deep bow at the waist again.

In the announcement, the Chun family promised to submit assets worth about 80 billion won (73.8 million dollars) additionally to the already seized assets worth about 90 billion won (83 million dollars) as payment of unpaid surcharges. A source at the prosecution said that the already secured assets, which includes seized and voluntarily submitted assets, are worth 170.3 billion won (157 million dollars).

The eldest son said he would submit his publishing company building in Seoul’s Seocho district, the leisure town Herb Village in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, and artworks. Chun Jae-yong, the second son, plans to submit a building in Seoul’s Seocho District. Chun Jae-man, the third son, will submit his real estate in Seoul’s Yongsan district while Chun Hyo-seon, a daughter, will submit her real estate in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. Lee Hi-sang, Chun`s daughter-in-law’s father and the chairman of DongA One, said he would submit his financial assets worth 27.5 billion won (25.4 million dollars).

The eldest son said, “The house of my parents in Yeonhui neighborhood will also be submitted. But we hope our parents could stay in the house for the rest of their lives because they’ve lived half of their lives in that house.”

Though the historic and legal punishment to the Fifth Republic was completed with this announcement, certain people say it is not yet completed because it is still unknown who ordered to fire at people during the 1980 pro-democracy movement. They call on the former president to apologize for the process of his taking office.