The South Korean Supreme Court has upheld a ruling requiring former President Chun Doo-hwan to pay 70 million won in damages for false claims made in his memoir concerning the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. The ruling marks a significant decision regarding historical accountability for the controversial events of May 1980, during which Chun’s government was accused of instigating violence against pro-democracy protesters. The court's decision came after claims were made by four civic groups representing the victims, as well as the nephew of a deceased priest who was active during the uprising. They argued that Chun's memoir mischaracterized the uprising as a riot and contained numerous inaccuracies about the military's actions during that time.

The case highlights ongoing tensions in South Korea regarding the interpretation and representation of the Gwangju incident, which is a deeply sensitive topic in the country's history. Chun's memoir was published in 2017, years after he left office, and was met with widespread criticism for its portrayal of the uprising and the military's involvement. The court's earlier judgments had acknowledged the deterioration of the victims' dignity and the potential for undue psychological harm caused by Chun's assertions, supporting the view that historical narratives must be addressed with accuracy and respect for the truth.

With this final ruling, the Supreme Court not only reaffirms the victims' rights to justice but also reinforces the importance of truth in historical discourse in South Korea. It sends a strong message about the consequences of distorting historical events and emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogue about the nation's past, especially in a time when differing narratives often clash in the public sphere. Chun's passing means that his family now bears the responsibility for compensating victims, marking a continuation of the struggle for acknowledgment and repair among those affected by the events of 1980.