Army revokes 33 commendations awarded to soldiers linked to 1980 pro-democracy crackdown

“The Army said Tuesday it has revoked 33 commendations that were awarded to soldiers in the name of an Army chief for their roles in a bloody crackdown during the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju. The move is the latest in a series of military efforts to address past wrongdoing by the troops during the brutal crackdown on civilians who rose up against the military junta, led by then Army Gen. Chun Doo-hwan, in the nine-day revolt. Chun seized power through a coup on Dec. 12, 1979, and ultimately became president in August 1980. After a review of the commendations related to the Gwangju crackdown operations, the Army found a total of 33 troops had received commendations, Bae Seok-jin, the Army spokesperson, said in a press briefing. "The Army decided to revoke the 33 commendations at a merit review committee on April 28," Bae said. "We are proceeding with required procedures in line with relevant laws and regulations to address commendations that were inappropriately conferred, as we take very seriously the historical significance of the May 18 pro-democracy u

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