Former Ambassador Gleysteen Blames Chun For Kwangju Massacre

William Gleysteen, the former American Ambassador to Korea, announced on April 21 that he is certain that General Chun Doo-hwan made the decision to quell the student uprising that ultimately resulted in the Kwangju Massacre (May 18, 1980). He went on to state that President Choi Kyu-hwa had approved and supported the decision.

Gleysteen, who was the ambassador from 1978 to 1981, made the remarks at the 20th anniversary of the Kwangju Massacre Symposium that took place at the University of California. He pointed out that, "The new military authorities arrested Kim Dae-jung for inducing the student riot, that started the tragedy."

He also stated that, "Lee Hee-sung, the chief martial law administrator at that time, said that, 'Because of the students' strong demands and the rapid spread of their left wing thinking, a quick suppression is inevitable. The Koreans should abide by this.' I was even criticized because I didn't understand why they did such a thing."

Then Gleysteen said, "Instead of trying to stop the new military authority's massacre, president Choi was concerned with the three Kims and the supposed negative effects they were having on Korean society."

Gleysteen also said that, "I am sure that general Chun made the decision that allowed the Kwangju Massacre to occur. I am also certain that President Choi gave his indirect approval for the idea."