The People's Power Central Election Commission appointed former Defense Minister Chung Ho-yong, who led the May 18 Democratic Movement suppression operation, as a standing advisor, but canceled it after controversy arose.
Earlier, at around 6 p.m. yesterday, the People's Power announced 23 advisors and aides for presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo, including Chung Ho-yong.
Jeong is a member of the new military department who led the suppression as the commander of the special forces during the May 18 Democratization Movement as well as the December 12 military revolt and served as the army chief and defense minister under the Chun Doo-hwan administration.
Later, in 1997, he was convicted of seven years in prison by the Supreme Court for participating in the military revolt and the suppression of the Gwangju Democratization Movement.
Controversy arose immediately when such a person was selected for the election committee, and the People's Power sent a notice to reporters at around 11:30 p.m. last night, five hours after the announcement.
Candidate Kim Moon-soo apologized on the 12th, saying, "I'm sorry," regarding former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law, but as the Chun Doo-hwan administration's attempt to recruit key figures in martial law and civil war became known, it became inevitable to point out that "the authenticity is suspected."
Candidate Kim has yet to decide whether to attend the May 18 event three days later.
[Shin Dongwook / Senior spokesman for People's Power (Yesterday)]
"<I heard that the candidate will go down to the Gwangju memorial service on May 18th.> Regarding the schedule, today is May 14th. I can't confirm the schedule in four days yet."
The power of the people is also showing signs of being unable to cut off from the forces of martial law and civil war, including Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer for 40 years and Choi Ki-sik, a lawyer for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Roh Sang-won, a lawyer for former intelligence commander.
Lee Dong-kyung (tokyo@mbc.co.kr