Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan's grandson on Friday apologised for the Gwangju massacre committed in the 1980s to crush the pro-democracy protests. The 27-year-old Chun Woo-won met with the families of the bereaved at the May 18 Memorial Culture Centre in the southern city of Gwangju — the epicentre of the uprising and conveyed his apologies by bowing in front of them.

Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan's grandson on Friday apologised for the Gwangju massacre committed in the 1980s to crush the pro-democracy protests. The 27-year-old Chun Woo-won met with the families of the bereaved at the May 18 Memorial Culture Centre in the southern city of Gwangju — the epicentre of the uprising and conveyed his apologies by bowing in front of them. This is the first instance when a member of the family has publicly apologised for the actions of Chun Doo-hwan. The move by New York-based Chun has attracted widespread media coverage with many hailing it as both symbolic and significant. "I give my sincere apologies. I am sorry. As a family member, I acknowledge that my grandfather Chun Doo-hwan was a sinner and slaughterer who committed such a great crime," said Chun. "The citizens of Gwangju, who overcame fear in the midst of military dictatorship and stood against it with courage are heroes and truly the light and salt of our country." WATCH | Gravitas: History of the Korean Conflict × Chun admitted that he was indoctrinated with an inaccurate and distorted version of history by his family since childhood. "Out of fear of suffering consequential damage, my family and I had looked away from the hideous crime we had committed." To this day, Chun Doo-hwan is known as the "Butcher of Gwangju" but he died without apologising for his barbaric actions. In a 2017 memoir, he denied any direct involvement in the suppression of the uprising whilst denouncing a priest who claimed that helicopter gunships had opened fire on civilians. Though the official toll for the dead or missing stands around 200 — activists believe that the number could be three times as high. ALSO READ | Former South Korean dictator Chun guilty of defamation over massacre Chun was one of the most ruthless dictators to have ever ruled over the Korean country. Throughout the 1980s, he ruled with an iron fist while brutally repressing opponents until mass demonstrations forced him to accept democracy. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘He was a sinner’: South Korean dictator’s grandson apologises for 1980 Gwangju crackdown

Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan was found guilty of defaming a dead priest on Monday, in connection with a pro-democracy uprising his troops crushed 40 years ago.

The 89-year-old dozed off as the verdict was read out in Gwangju, where the 1980 demonstrations ended in a bloodbath, but he was spared a return to prison.&nbsp;

The official toll for the dead or missing is around 200 people, but activists say it may have been three times as high, and Chun is known as the "Butcher of Gwangju".

He still denies any direct involvement in the suppression of the uprising, and in a 2017 memoir denounced a priest who had repeatedly testified that helicopter gunships had opened fire on civilians, as "Satan in a mask".

Under South Korean libel law defamation can be a criminal offence as well as a civil matter, relatives can file such complaints on behalf of dead people, and truth is not necessarily a defence.

The priest's family lodged a criminal libel complaint against Chun and prosecutors took him to trial.

"Chun was aware of the helicopter shots fired," the court said, adding Chun alone bore the "main responsibility" for the casualties.

It gave him an eight-month suspended sentence, well short of the 18-month custodial term sought by prosecutors, with Yonhap news agency quoting the judge as calling on him to "sincerely atone" for his deeds.

Wearing a facemask and a black hat, Chun -- who was not held in custody during the trial -- did not speak to reporters as he left.

Chun governed South Korea with an iron fist during the 1980s. He oversaw the country's economic rise and won the right to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, but also brutally repressed opponents until mass demonstrations forced him to accept democracy.&nbsp;

He was the country's first president to hand over power peacefully, but remains among its most reviled figures.

In 1996, he was convicted of treason and condemned to death, in part over what happened at Gwangju, but his execution was commuted on appeal and he was released following a presidential pardon.

All four of South Korea's living ex-presidents are either currently in prison or have previously served jail terms.

Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan was found guilty of defaming a dead priest on Monday, in connection with a pro-democracy uprising his troops crushed 40 years ago.

Former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan was found guilty of defaming a dead priest on Monday, in connection with a pro-democracy uprising his troops crushed 40 years ago. The 89-year-old dozed off as the verdict was read out in Gwangju, where the 1980 demonstrations ended in a bloodbath, but he was spared a return to prison. The official toll for the dead or missing is around 200 people, but activists say it may have been three times as high, and Chun is known as the "Butcher of Gwangju". He still denies any direct involvement in the suppression of the uprising, and in a 2017 memoir denounced a priest who had repeatedly testified that helicopter gunships had opened fire on civilians, as "Satan in a mask". Under South Korean libel law defamation can be a criminal offence as well as a civil matter, relatives can file such complaints on behalf of dead people, and truth is not necessarily a defence. The priest's family lodged a criminal libel complaint against Chun and prosecutors took him to trial. "Chun was aware of the helicopter shots fired," the court said, adding Chun alone bore the "main responsibility" for the casualties. It gave him an eight-month suspended sentence, well short of the 18-month custodial term sought by prosecutors, with Yonhap news agency quoting the judge as calling on him to "sincerely atone" for his deeds. Wearing a facemask and a black hat, Chun -- who was not held in custody during the trial -- did not speak to reporters as he left. Chun governed South Korea with an iron fist during the 1980s. He oversaw the country's economic rise and won the right to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, but also brutally repressed opponents until mass demonstrations forced him to accept democracy. He was the country's first president to hand over power peacefully, but remains among its most reviled figures. In 1996, he was convicted of treason and condemned to death, in part over what happened at Gwangju, but his execution was commuted on appeal and he was released following a presidential pardon. All four of South Korea's living ex-presidents are either currently in prison or have previously served jail terms.

Former South Korean dictator Chun guilty of defamation over massacre

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‘He was a sinner’: South Korean dictator’s grandson apologises for 1980 Gwangju crackdown

Former South Korean dictator Chun guilty of defamation over massacre