Chun Doo-hwan#Dictatorship (1980–1987)

Chun was born on 18 January 1931 in {{ill|Yulgok-myeon|ko|율곡면}}, a poor farming town in Hapcheon County, Korea, Empire of Japan. Chun's family is from the {{Ill|Wansan Jeon clan|ko|완산 전씨}}. Chun was the fourth son out of ten children to Jeon Sang-u ({{Korean|hangul=전상우|labels=no}}) and Kim Jeong-mun ({{Korean|hangul=김정문|labels=no}}).{{Cite web| author = Choi Jin (최진)| script-title=ko:대통령의 아버지, 누구인가?...가난한 농사꾼에서 거제도 갑부까지 ①| trans-title = Who is the father of the president?...From a poor farmer to a rich man of Geoje Island| publisher = JoongAng Ilbo| date = 30 October 2008| url = http://article.joins.com/article/article.asp?total_id=3359391&ctg=1000| access-date = 31 October 2009| archive-date = 4 January 2013| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130104062338/http://article.joins.com/article/article.asp?total_id=3359391&ctg=1000| url-status = dead}} Chun's oldest two brothers, Yeol-hwan ({{Korean|hangul=열환|labels=no}}) and Gyu-gon ({{Korean|hangul=규곤|labels=no}}), died in an accident when he was an infant. Chun grew up knowing his remaining older brother Gi-hwan ({{Korean|hangul=기환|labels=no}}) and his younger brother {{Ill|Jeon Gyeong-hwan|lt=Gyeong-hwan|ko|전경환}}.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Around 1936, Chun's family moved to Daegu, where he began attending Horan Elementary School. Chun's father had run-ins with the kempeitai in the past; in the winter of 1939 he murdered a police captain. Their family immediately fled to Jilin, Manchukuo, where they stayed in hiding for two years before returning. When Chun finally started attending elementary school again, he was two years behind his original classmates.

In 1947, Chun began attending Daegu Vocational Middle School, located nearly 25 km from his home. Chun moved on to Daegu Vocational High School.

In 1950, Chun fought in the Korean War as the part of the Student Volunteer Forces.

After graduating from high school in 1951, Chun gained entry into the Korea Military Academy (KMA). While there, he made several key friends among the students who would later play instrumental roles in helping Chun seize control of the country. He graduated in February 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the 11th class of the KMA. He later trained in the United States, specializing in guerilla tactics and psychological warfare, and married Lee Soon-ja, the daughter of the KMA's commandant at the time of his attendance, in 1958.{{Cite web|publisher = Presidential Archives, National Archives of Korea| script-title=ko:전두환대통령 > 경력및 상훈사항 |trans-title=President Chun Doo-hwan > Career and awards |language =ko | url = http://www.pa.go.kr/usr/cms/pre_0301_035.do| access-date =31 October 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}{{Cite web|script-title=ko:전두환|trans-title=Chun Doo-hwan|publisher=Nate People (Nate 인물검색)|url=http://people.nate.com/people/info/ch/un/chundoowhan/|access-date=4 November 2009|language=ko|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501064629/http://people.nate.com/people/info/ch/un/chundoowhan/|archive-date=1 May 2011}}

File:Army Captain Chun Doo-hwan.jpg

Chun, then a captain, led a demonstration at the KMA to show support for the May 16 coup in 1961 led by Park Chung Hee. Chun was subsequently made secretary to the commander of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, placing him directly under Park. Chun was quickly promoted to major in 1962, while continuing to make powerful friends and acquaintances. As a major, Chun was the deputy chief of operations for the Special Warfare Command's battle headquarters, and later worked for the Supreme Council for Reconstruction again as the Chief Civil Affairs Officer. In 1963, Chun was given a position in the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) as Personnel Director. By 1969, he was senior advisor to the Army Chief of Staff.

In 1970, holding the rank of colonel, Chun became the commander of the 29th Regiment, South Korean 9th Infantry Division, and participated in the Vietnam War. Upon returning to Korea in 1971, he was given command of the 1st Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) and later promoted to brigadier general. In 1976 he worked as the deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service and was promoted to the rank of major general during his time there. In 1978 he became the commanding officer of the 1st Infantry Division. According to The New York Times, President Park was said to have favored him over other military men of his age and to have treated him much like godson.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/18/archives/tough-general-who-appears-in-control-of-seoul-chon-too-hwan-man-in.html | title=Tough General Who Appears in Control of Seoul | work=The New York Times | date=18 December 1979 }}

Finally, in 1979, he was appointed commander of Security Command, his highest position yet.

Chun formed Hanahoe as a secret military clique shortly after his promotion to general officer. It was predominantly composed of his fellow graduates from the 11th class of the KMA, as well as other friends and supporters. Membership was predominantly restricted to officers from the Gyeongsang Province with just a token membership reserved for a Cholla Province officer. Hanahoe's existence within a highly regimented and rigid hierarchical organization of the army was only possible because it was under the patronage of then President Park.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

{{Main|Assassination of Park Chung Hee}}

On 26 October 1979, Park was assassinated by Kim Jae-kyu, Director of the KCIA, while at a dinner party. Secretly, Kim had invited General Jeong Seung-hwa, Army Chief of Staff, and Kim Jeong-seop, Vice-Deputy Director of the KCIA, to dinner in another room that night as well. Although Jeong Seung-hwa was neither present during nor involved in the shooting of Park, his presence at the scene later proved crucial to his downfall. In the chaos that followed, Kim Jae-kyu was not arrested for many hours, as details of the incident were initially unclear.

After some confusion over the constitutional procedures for presidential succession, Prime Minister Choi Kyu-ha finally ascended to the position of Acting President. Soon after, Jeong named Chun's Security Command to head up the investigation into the assassination. Chun immediately ordered his subordinates to draw up plans for the creation of an all-powerful "Joint Investigation Headquarters".{{cite news|author =Cho, Gab-je (조갑제) |author2=Lee, Dong-uk (이동욱)| script-title=ko:(박정희의 생애) '내 무덤에 침을 뱉어라!' ...(48)|trans-title=(Biography of Park Chung Hee) 'Spit on my grave!' ... (48)|newspaper=The Chosun Ilbo|date =7 December 1997| url = http://news.chosun.com/svc/content_view/content_view.html?contid=1997120770206| access-date =1 November 2009 |language=ko}}

On 27 October, Chun called for a meeting in his commander's office. Invited were four key individuals now responsible for all intelligence collection nationwide: KCIA Deputy Chief of Foreign Affairs, KCIA Deputy Chief of Domestic Affairs, Attorney General, and Chief of the National Police. Chun had each person searched at the door on his way in, before having them seated and informing them of the President's death. Chun declared the KCIA held full responsibility for Park's assassination, and its organization was therefore under investigation for the crime. Chun stated that the KCIA would no longer be allowed to exercise its own budget:

{{blockquote|For the KCIA "to continue exercising full discretion of their budget is unacceptable. Therefore, they are only allowed to execute their duties upon receiving authorization from the Joint Investigation Headquarters."|Chun Doo-hwan, Security Command and Joint Investigation Headquarters commander, 27 October 1979}}

Chun subsequently ordered all intelligence reports to now be sent to his office at 8:00 am and 5:00 pm every day, so he could decide what information to give higher command. In one move, Chun had taken control of the entire nation's intelligence organizations. Chun then put the KCIA Deputy Chief of Foreign Affairs in charge of running the day-to-day business of the KCIA.

Major Park Jun-kwang, working under Chun at the time, later commented:

{{blockquote|In front of the most powerful organizations under the Park Chung Hee presidency, it surprised me how easily [Chun] gained control over them and how skillfully he took advantage of the circumstances. In an instant he seemed to have grown into a giant.|Park Jun-kwang, assigned to Security Command and Joint Investigation Headquarters}}

During the investigation, Chun personally gave money (US$500,000) from Park's slush fund to Park's daughter Park Geun-hye, who was 27 at the time. He was reprimanded for this by Jeong.{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/24/chun-doo-whan-south-kore_n_3490372.html|title = HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. And World News|website = HuffPost}}

On 5 November, a preliminary report was released by Chun, placing full responsibility of Park's assassination on Kim and his associates.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/07/archives/excerpts-from-report-on-south-korean-inquiry-into-murder-of.html | title=Excerpts from Reports on South Korean Inquiry into Murder of President Park | work=The New York Times | date=7 November 1979 }}

{{Main|Coup d'état of December Twelfth}}

In the following month Chun, along with Roh Tae-woo, Yu Hak-seong, Heo Sam-su, and others from the Hanahoe, continued taking advantage of the fragile political situation to grow Hanahoe's strength, courting key commanders and subverting the nation's intelligence gathering organizations.

General Jeong, his superior, is a moderate figure in the armed forces and gave hints on multiple occasions that he supported the political liberalization process, as opposed to Chun, who favors keeping the Yushin Constitution intact.{{Cite news |last=Stokes |first=Henry Scott |date=1979-11-04 |title=The Coming Battle Is Political For S. Korea's Anxious Army |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/04/archives/the-coming-battle-is-political-for-s-koreas-anxious-army-american.html|work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

On 12 December 1979, amid a cabinet reshuffle, Chun ordered the arrest of Jeong on charges of conspiring with Kim Jae-kyu to assassinate Park. This order was made without authorization from President Choi. On the night of Jeong's capture, 29th Regiment, 9th Division, along with the 1st and 3rd Airborne Brigades, invaded downtown Seoul to support the 30th and 33rd Security Group loyal to Chun, which resulted in a series of conflicts that broke out in the capital. Jang Tae-wan, commander of the Capital Garrison Command, and Jeong Byeong Ju, commander of the special forces, were also arrested by the rebel troops. Major Kim Oh-rang, aide-de-camp of Jeong Byeong-ju, was killed during the gunfight. By the next morning, the Ministry of Defense and Army HQ were all occupied, and Chun was in firm control of the military. For all intents and purposes, he was now the de facto leader of the country.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/14/archives/7-top-generals-are-held-in-seoul-military-power-struggle-is-seen.html | title=7 Top Generals Are Held in Seoul Military Power Struggle is Seen Seven Key South Korean Generals Being Held in Seoul | work=The New York Times | date=14 December 1979 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/15/archives/korean-general-filling-key-posts-with-his-men-to-bolster-power.html | title=Korean General Filling Key Posts with His Men to Bolster Power Americans Refuse to Comment General's Allies Named Korean General Forces His Allies on New Government Malaysians Are Alarmed | work=The New York Times | date=15 December 1979 }}{{Cite news |date=1979-12-13 |title=KOREAN ARMY RULER SEIZED IN PARK CASE AFTER A GUN BATTLE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/13/archives/korean-army-ruler-seized-in-park-case-after-a-gun-battle-washington.html|work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In early 1980, Chun was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, and he took up the position of acting director of the KCIA. On 14 April, Chun was officially installed as director of the KCIA.

{{Further|Coup d'état of May Seventeenth|Gwangju Uprising}}

File:Gwangju5.18FriedhofFotos.JPG in Gwangju where victims' bodies were buried]]

On 17 May 1980, Chun expanded martial law to the entire country, due to stated rumors of North Korean infiltration and presence of South Korean communist sympathizers in the country. The KCIA manipulated these rumors at the command of Chun. General John A. Wickham (commander of the US Armed Forces in Korea) reported that Chun's pessimistic assessment of the domestic situation and his emphasis on the North Korean threat only seemed to be a pretext for a move into the Blue House (the Korean presidential residence).The US Government Statement on the Events in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, in May 1980

To enforce martial law, troops were dispatched to various parts of the nation. The expanded martial law closed universities, banned political activities, and further curtailed the press. Political opponents such as the recently freed Kim Dae-jung was again arrested. The event of 17 May meant the beginning of another military dictatorship.

Many civilians were growing unhappy with the military presence in their cities, and on 18 May, the citizens of Gwangju organized protests into what became known as the Gwangju Democratization Movement. Chun ordered it to be immediately suppressed, sending in shock troops armed with heavy weaponry such as armored tanks and helicopters to retake City Hall and ordered the troops to exercise full force. This led to a bloody massacre over the next nine days, ultimately leading to the collapse of the protests and the deaths of at least 200 Gwangju activists.{{cite news |title=As South Koreans Reexamine a 1980 Massacre, Some Ask US to Do the Same |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_south-koreans-reexamine-1980-massacre-some-ask-us-do-same/6189968.html |work=Voice of America |date=27 May 2020}} For this, he was called "The Butcher of Gwangju" by many people, especially among the students.{{cite news |title=South Korea's ex-dictator Chun Doo-hwan tries to keep low profile in his twilight years |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-south-korea-dictator-20151129-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=29 November 2015}}

In June 1980, Chun ordered the National Assembly to be dissolved. He subsequently created the {{ill|Special Committee for National Security Measures|ko|국가보위비상대책위원회}} (SCNSM), a junta-like organization, and installed himself as head of command. On 17 July, he resigned his position as KCIA Director, and then held only the position of committee member.

On 5 August, with full control of the military he effectively promoted himself to four star General and on 22 August he was discharged from active duty to the Army reserves.

Beginning in August 1980, citizens were subjected to organized violence under the name of social cleansing, which aimed at the elimination of social ills, such as violence, smuggling, illegal drugs, and deceptions. They were arrested without proper warrants and given ex parte rankings. Some 42,000 victims were enrolled in the Samchung re-education camp for "purificatory education". More than 60,000 people were arrested in six months between August 1980 and January 1981, including many innocent citizens. They faced violence and hard labour in the re-education camp.{{cite web |url=http://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/newsinbrief-en/section1/2006/09/national-human-rights-commission-of-korea-recommended-equal-compensations-for-foreign-victims-of-sam.html |publisher=Hurights Osaka |title=National Human Rights Commission of Korea Recommended Equal Compensations for Foreign Victims of "Samchung Re-education Camp" |access-date=6 December 2012}}

{{Infobox administration|image=Chun Doo-hwan March 1985 (3x4 cropped).jpg|name=Presidency of Chun Doo-hwan|term_start=1 September 1980|term_end=25 February 1988{{efn|name=fn1|Although his position became officially known as "President" from 1 September 1980 after an internal election which lacked universal suffrage, Chun rule was a continuance which had already begun since the military Coup d'état of December Twelfth in 1979.}}|cabinet=Full list|party=Hanahoe (1980–1981)
Democratic Justice (1981–1988)|seat=Seoul|president_link=President of South Korea|premier_link=Prime Minister of South Korea|premier=Nam Duck-woo
Yoo Chang-soon
Kim Sang-hyup
Chin Iee-chong
Lho Shin-yong
Kim Chung-yul|seal=Seal of the President of the Republic of Korea.svg|term_start1=September 1, 1980|term_end1=February 25, 1981|election1=1980|predecessor1=Choi Kyu-hah|term_start2=February 25, 1981|term_end2=February 25, 1988|election2=1981|successor2=Roh Tae-woo|constituency1=Fourth Republic|constituency2=Fifth Republic}}File:Chun Doo-hwan and Lee SoonJa.jpg

In August 1980, Choi, who had long since become little more than a figurehead, announced that he would be resigning the presidency. On 27 August, the National Conference for Unification, the nation's electoral college, gathered in Jangchung Arena. Chun was the sole candidate. Out of 2525 members, 2524 voted for Chun with one vote counted as invalid, thus with a tally of 99.96% in favor (it was widely speculated at that time that one invalid vote was purposely rigged as to differentiate Chun from North Korea's Kim Il Sung, who regularly claimed 100% support in North Korea's elections). He was officially inaugurated into office on 1 September 1980.

On 17 October, he abolished all political parties—including Park's Democratic Republican Party, which had essentially ruled the country as a one-party state since the imposition of the Yushin Constitution. In November, he implemented the Policy for Merger and Abolition of the Press. In January 1981, Chun formed his own party, the Democratic Justice Party; however, for all intents and purposes, it was Park's Democratic Republican Party under a new name. Soon afterward, a new constitution was enacted. It was far less authoritarian than Park's Yushin Constitution; for instance, it enshrined the secrecy of correspondence, banned torture and invalidated confessions obtained by force. It still vested fairly broad powers in the president, albeit far less sweeping than those Park had held.

He was then re-elected president by the National Conference that February, taking 90 percent of the delegates' vote against three minor candidates. However, Chun's election was a foregone conclusion after the DJP's decisive victory at elections for the National Conference two weeks earlier. The DJP won a supermajority of 69.5 percent of the seats, three times as many as the independents and nine times as many as the opposition Democratic Korea Party.

File:Chun Doo-hwan and Claude M. Kicklighter, Chung ho-yong, 1985-Mar-22.jpg in March 1985]]

In 1980, in the face of increased tension with the U.S. over his military takeover, Chun issued a memorandum stating that his country would not develop missiles with a range longer than 180 km or capable of carrying greater than a 453 kg warhead. After receiving this promise, the Reagan administration decided to fully recognize Chun's military government.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}

After his election in 1981, Chun completely rejected the presidency of Park, even going so far as to strike all references to Park's 1961 military coup from the constitution. Chun announced that he would be restoring justice to the government to remove the fraud and corruption of Park's tenure.{{Cite book| author =Jeon, Jae-ho (전재호)| script-title=ko:반동적 근대주의자 박정희 |trans-title=Reactionary Modernist, Park Chung Hee (Bandongjeok geundaejuuija Bak Jeong-hui)| publisher = 책세상 (Chaeksesang)| year = 2000| location = South Korea| pages = 112–113| isbn = 978-89-7013-148-1 |language=ko}}

Chun's government did not have the considerable political influence enjoyed by Park's administration. His government could not ignore American influence, and he ended South Korea's nuclear weapons program.{{Cite web| author =Park, Jong-jin (박종진)| script-title=ko:(한반도 핵) 무궁화 꽃이 피었습니까?| work =Hankooki| date = 23 September 2004| url = http://weekly.hankooki.com/lpage/cover/200409/wk2004092313314937040.htm| access-date =4 November 2009 |language=ko}}{{Cite web|author =Seo, Byeong-gi (서병기)| script-title=ko:'제5공화국' 츈두환,핵무기개발 포기 방영후 네티즌 비난 |trans-title=After the broadcasting of 'The 5th Republic' that the President, Chun Doo-hwan gave up developing nuclear weapons, Netizens criticized |publisher=Korea Herald Business| date =18 July 2005|url = http://www.heraldbiz.com/site/data/html_dir/2005/07/18/200507180181.asp| access-date =4 November 2009 |language=ko}} During this time, Chun was worried about the state of South Korean-U.S. relations, which had greatly deteriorated towards the end of Park Chung Hee's long authoritarian presidency. Chun needed to be recognized by the United States to legitimize his government.{{Cite web|author=Kim, Jae-hyeon (김재현) |script-title=ko:전직 대통령 북핵실험 진단 `3인3색' |trans-title='Three people three colors', Former Presidents' analysis on North Korea's nuclear research | work =Yonhap hosted by Naver News| date =10 October 2006| url = http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0001432696| access-date =4 November 2009 |language=ko}}

After his inauguration, Chun clamped down on out-of-school tutoring and banned individual teaching or tutoring. In September 1980, Chun repealed "guilt by association" laws. In 1981, Chun enacted "Care and Custody" legislation; Chun believed that criminals who finish their prison time for a repeat offense should not be immediately returned to society. During the winter of 1984, before declaring a moratorium on the Korean economy, Chun visited Japan, where he requested a loan for $6 billion. With the military coup taking power and crushing the democratization movements country-wide, the citizens' political demands were being ignored, and in this way the 3S Policy (Sex, Screen, Sports) was passed. Based on right-wing Japanese activist Sejima Ryuzo's proposal, Chun tried to appeal to the citizens in order to ensure the success of the 1988 Seoul Olympics preparations. Chun rapidly enacted various measures to this end, forming professional baseball and soccer leagues, starting the broadcast of color TV throughout the nation as a whole, lessening censorship on sexually suggestive dramas and movies, making school uniforms voluntary, and so forth. In 1981, Chun held a large-scale festival called "Korean Breeze '81 [Kukpung81]", but it was largely ignored by the population.

{{Main|Rangoon bombing}}

In 1983, Chun was the target of a failed assassination attempt by North Korean agents during a visit to Rangoon, Burma. The North Korean bombing killed 17 of Chun's entourage, including cabinet ministers. Four Burmese government officials were also killed in the attack.[https://archive.today/20120909053953/http://www.news24.com/Content/World/News/1073/895771ceb4f54f8a90c53701b89bbc0b/08-01-2010-10-58/2_get_death_for_info_leak 2 get death for info leak] News24

File:President Ronald Reagan toasts with President Chun Doo Hwan.jpg in Seoul in November 1983]]

Chun's presidency occurred during the Cold War, and his foreign policies were based around combating communism from North Korea and Soviet Union.

Japanese newspapers widely reported that Chun was the de facto leader of the country months before he made any move to become president.

In 1982, Chun announced the "{{ill|Korean People Harmony Democracy Reunification Program|ko|민족화합민주통일방안}}", but due to repeated rejections from North Korea the program was unable to get off the ground.

From the start of his presidency, Chun began grooming Noh Shin-yeong as his eventual successor. In 1980, while working as ambassador to the Geneva Representation Bureau, Noh was recalled and made Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1982, he was installed as the Director of the Security Planning Bureau, and in 1985, he was named Prime Minister.

When that became widely known, those supporting Chun's regime were highly critical of his choice of successor. His supporters, mostly those with heavy military backgrounds, believed that the proper way to groom a successor was by military duties, not political positions. Chun was eventually persuaded to reverse his position and ceased pushing for Noh to succeed him.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

{{See also|June Democracy Movement}}

The 1981 constitution restricted the president to a single seven-year term. Unlike his predecessors, Chun was unable to amend the document in order to run again in 1987. The constitution explicitly stated that any amendments extending a president's term would not apply to the incumbent, thus foreclosing any attempt to extend Chun's tenure short of adopting a new constitution. However, he consistently resisted pleas to open up the regime.

On 13 April 1987, Chun made the "{{ill|April 13th Defense of the Constitution speech|ko|4·13 호헌 조치}}". He declared that the DJP candidate for president would be one of his military supporters, and his successor would be chosen in an indirect election similar to the one that elected Chun seven years earlier. That announcement enraged the democratization community and, in concert with several scandals from the Chun government that year, demonstrators began their movement again, starting with a speech at the Anglican Cathedral of Seoul.

Two months later, he declared Roh Tae-woo as the DJP's candidate for president, which, by all accounts, effectively handed Roh the presidency. The announcement triggered the June Democracy Movement, a series of large pro-democracy rallies across the country. In hopes of gaining control over a situation that was rapidly getting out of hand, Roh made a speech promising a much more democratic constitution and the first direct presidential elections in 16 years. On 10 July 1987, Chun resigned as head of the DJP, remaining its Honorary Chairman but handing official leadership of the upcoming campaign to Roh.

{{See also|1987 South Korean presidential election}}

In the 16 December 1987 presidential election, Roh won the election with a plurality, the first free and fair national elections of any sort held in the country in two decades, after opposition candidates Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung split the popular vote. Chun finished out his term and handed over the presidency to Roh on 25 February 1988, the first peaceful transition of power in the history of South Korea.

In February 1988, during the presidency of Roh, Chun was named chair of the National Statesman Committee and so wielded considerable influence in South Korean politics. In that year, the DJP lost its majority in the National Assembly elections to opposition parties, paving the way for the so-called "Fifth Republic Hearings". The National Assembly explored the events of the Gwangju Democratization Movement and where responsibility should lay for the resulting massacre. On 11 November 1988, Chun apologized to the nation in a public address, pledging to give his money and belongings back to the country. Chun resigned from both the National Statesman Committee and the DJP.

At this time, Chun decided to live for several years in Baekdamsa, a Buddhist temple in the Gangwon-do province, in order to pay penance for his actions. On 30 December 1990, Chun left Baekdamsa and returned home.

{{Infobox criminal

| conviction = Treason
Leading an insurrection
Conspiracy to commit insurrection
Taking part in an insurrection
Illegal troop movement orders
Dereliction of duty during martial law
Murder of superior officers
Attempted murder of superior officers
Murder of subordinate troops
Leading a rebellion
Conspiracy to commit rebellion
Taking part in a rebellion
Murder for the purpose of rebellion
Bribery

| conviction_penalty = Death by hanging; commuted to life imprisonment and fine of ₩220 billion

| conviction_status = Pardoned on 21 December 1997 by President Kim Young-sam at request of President-elect Kim Dae-jung

| occupation =

| spouse =

| parents =

| children =

| party =

}}

After Kim Young-sam's inauguration as President of South Korea in 1993, Kim declared that Chun and Roh had stolen 400 billion won (nearly $370 million) from the South Korean people, and he would conduct internal investigations to prove this.

On 16 November 1995, the citizens' demands were growing louder about the 12 December 1979 military coup and the Gwangju Uprising, so Kim announced the beginning of a movement to enact retroactive legislation, naming the bill Special Act on 5–18 Democratization Movement. As soon as the Constitutional Court declared Chun's actions unconstitutional, the prosecutors began a reinvestigation. On 3 December 1995, Chun and 16 others were arrested on charges of conspiracy and insurrection. At the same time, an investigation into the corruption of their presidencies was begun.

In March 1996, their public trial began. On 26 August, the Seoul District Court issued a death sentence.{{cite news |last1=Shin |first1=Hak-lim |title=Chun Gets Death, Roh 22 1/2 Years |agency=The Korea Times |date=27 August 1996}} On 16 December 1996, the Seoul High Court issued a sentence of life imprisonment and a fine in the amount of {{SK won|220 billion}}. On 17 April 1997, the judgment was finalized in the Supreme Court. Chun was officially convicted of leading an insurrection, conspiracy to commit insurrection, taking part in an insurrection, illegal troop movement orders, dereliction of duty during martial law, murder of superior officers, attempted murder of superior officers, murder of subordinate troops, leading a rebellion, conspiracy to commit rebellion, taking part in a rebellion, and murder for the purpose of rebellion, as well as assorted crimes relating to bribery.

After his sentence was finalized, Chun began serving his prison sentence. On 22 December 1997, Chun's life imprisonment sentence was commuted by Kim, on the advice of incoming President Kim Dae-jung.{{cite web|last=Pollack|first=Andrew|title=New Korean Leader Agrees to Pardon of 2 Ex-Dictators|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/21/world/new-korean-leader-agrees-to-pardon-of-2-ex-dictators.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=16 May 2021|date=21 December 1997}} Chun was still required to pay his fine, but at that point, he had only paid {{SK won|53.3 billion}}, not quite a fourth of the total fine amount. Chun made a relatively famous quote, saying, "I have only {{SK won|290,000}} to my name." The remaining {{SK won|167.2 billion}} was never collected.{{cite web|title=350 Artworks Confiscated from Chun Doo-hwan's Son|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/07/19/2013071901396.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|access-date=7 August 2013|date=19 July 2013}}

According to the "May 18th Special Legislation", all medals awarded for the military intervention during the Gwangju Uprising were revoked and ordered to be returned to the government. There are still nine medals that have not been returned to the government.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}{{when|date=December 2022}}

Because of Chun's unpaid fines amounting to {{SK won|167.2 billion}}, a team of 90 prosecutors, tax collectors, and other investigators raided multiple locations simultaneously in July 2013, including Chun's residence and his family members' homes and offices. Television footage showed them hauling away paintings, porcelain, and expensive artifacts.{{cite web|title=Ex-Pres.' Home Raided, Searched|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/hot_issues_view.html?page=&No=113835|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130803042902/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/hot_issues_view.html?page=&No=113835|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 August 2013|work=KBS Global|access-date=7 August 2013|date=21 July 2013}} Among the properties searched were two warehouses owned by publisher Chun Jae-guk, Chun's eldest son, which contained more than 350 pieces of art by famous Korean artists, some estimated to be worth {{SK won|1 billion}}.

The National Assembly passed a bill called the Chun Doo-hwan Act, extending the statute of limitations on confiscating assets from public officials who have failed to pay fines. Under the old law, prosecutors had only until October 2013, but the new law extended the statute of limitations on Chun's case until 2020 and allows prosecutors to collect from his family members as well if it is proven that any of their properties originated from Chun's illegal funds.{{cite web|last=Choe|first=Sang-hun|title=Prosecutors Raid Home of Former South Korean President|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/17/world/asia/prosecutors-raid-home-of-former-south-korean-president.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=7 August 2013|date=13 July 2013}}

Chun tried to publish three memoirs. On 4 August 2017, a court granted a petition from a group of organizations dedicated to the 18 May movement, to prohibit the publishing, sale, and distribution of the works unless 33 sections containing false statements about the 18 May Movement were removed.{{Cite web|last=장 |first=재순|date=4 August 2017|title=Court issues injunction banning the distribution of ex-President Chun's memoir|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170804010100315|access-date=10 February 2021|website=Yonhap News Agency|language=en}} The court ruled that Chun and his son, Chun Jae-guk, who runs a publishing company, should take steps to prevent the books being sold—a violation of the order would incur a 5 million won fine, to be paid to the 5.18 Memorial Foundation. In October 2017, Chun reissued his memoirs prompting a second lawsuit to be filed against him. On 15 May 2018, the Gwangju District Court granted a further injunction request; in addition to the 33 sections containing false statements about the 18 May Movement found at the time of the first lawsuit, a further 36 sections were found to make false statements about the Movement.

In March 2019, Chun appeared in a libel trial in Gwangju over his controversial memoirs, in which he allegedly defamed victims of his 1980 crackdown. Chun had refuted a testimony by the late activist priest, Cho Chul-hyun, and called him "Satan wearing a mask" in his memoirs. The priest allegedly witnessed the military firing at citizens from helicopters during the crackdown.{{Cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190311001353315|title=(3rd LD) Former President Chun stands trial for libel over Gwangju memoirs|website=Yonhap News Agency |date=11 March 2019|language=en|access-date=18 May 2020}} On 30 November 2020, Chun was found guilty of defaming Cho and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years.{{Cite web|last=Deutsche Welle (www.dw.com)|date=|title=Former South Korean president sentenced to prison {{!}} DW {{!}} 30 November 2020|url=https://www.dw.com/en/former-south-korean-president-sentenced-to-prison/a-55779280|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130203744/https://www.dw.com/en/former-south-korean-president-sentenced-to-prison/a-55779280 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |access-date=10 February 2021|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}

Chun proceeded to appeal the sentence but failed to show up to the first and second appellate trials held on 10 May and 14 June 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210821002351320?section=national/politics|title=Ex-President Chun diagnosed with blood cancer: sources|website=Yonhap News Agency |date=21 August 2021|language=en|access-date=21 August 2021}} He made his first appearance in the Gwangju District appellate court on 9 August 2021 accompanied by his wife, but looking gaunt and frail. Chun left the courtroom only 25 minutes into the hearing, due to breathing difficulties. He answered some of the judge's questions with the help of his wife and was seen dozing off. A Yonhap news report on 21 August revealed Chun was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Chun died at his home in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul, on 23 November 2021 from complications of blood cancer.{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/former-south-korean-military-dictator-chun-doo-hwan-dies-at-90|title=Former South Korean military dictator Chun Doo-hwan dies at 90|website=The Straits Times (Singapore)|date=23 November 2021|access-date=23 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/arrests-seoul-south-korea-8e5b79e27593738ab4a472437779b072|title=Ex-South Korean strongman Chun Doo-hwan dies at age 90|author=Hyung-Jin Kim|website=Associated Press|date=23 November 2021|language=en|access-date=23 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/world/asia/chun-doo-hwan-dead.html|title=Chun Doo-hwan, Ex-Military Dictator in South Korea, Dies at 90|author=Choe Sang-Hun|website=The New York Times|date=23 November 2021|language=en|access-date=23 November 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-south-korean-military-dictator-chun-doo-hwan-dies-90-2021-11-23/|title=Former South Korean military dictator Chun Doo-hwan dies at 90|author=Hyonhee Shin|website=Reuters|date=23 November 2021|language=en|access-date=23 November 2021}} Chun died less than one month after his successor Roh.

Since Chun never apologized for his role in the Gwangju Uprising[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/27/widow-of-former-south-korean-dictator-chun-doo-hwan-offers-deep-apology-for-brutal-rule Widow of former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan offers 'deep apology' for brutal rule] The Guardian. 2021. and his past crimes, the Blue House only expressed private condolences to his family via a spokesperson, and announced that there was no plan to send wreaths. Following his death, the South Korean ruling and opposition parties refrained from sending official condolences.{{Cite web|url=https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20211123006000881|title=简讯：韩青瓦台将不吊唁前总统全斗焕|author=|website=Yonhap News Agency|date=23 November 2021|language=zh|access-date=23 November 2021}}

The South Korean government also decided not to hold a state funeral for Chun, and his funeral was conducted by his family with the government providing no assistance.{{Cite web|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=c&Seq_Code=73605|title=朝野对全斗焕去世发表各自立场|author=|website=KBS World|date=23 November 2021|language=zh|access-date=23 November 2021}}

His remains were taken to Seoul's Severance Hospital, where it was to be cremated before burial. By law, Chun is not eligible for burial at a national cemetery because of his past criminal record and conviction. According to his widow Lee Soon-ja, Chun had requested his family to minimize the funeral process, never make any tomb for him, and spread his ashes in areas overlooking the North Korean territory.{{cite web|url= http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211127000042|title= Late ex-President Chun's wife apologizes for 'pains, scars' inflicted during his presidency|newspaper=The Korea Herald|date= November 27, 2021|author=|access-date= November 28, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=165767|title=Late President Chun Doo-hwan Wished to Be Buried Facing N. Korea|author=|website=KBS World|date=23 November 2021|language=en|access-date=23 November 2021}}

On 27 November 2021, during his funeral procession, Lee Soon-ja issued a brief apology over the "pains and scars" caused by Chun's brutal rule. Her apology did not mention Chun's responsibility of the suppression of Gwangju Uprising. As a result, civic groups related to the movement, including those of bereaved families, criticized her apology for being vague and incomplete, and said that they would not accept the apology.{{cite web|url= https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2021/11/356_319592.html|title= Apology by Chun's widow not meant for Gwangju massacre victims|newspaper=The Korea Times|date= November 28, 2021|author= Lee Hae-rin|access-date= November 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/east-asia/lee-soon-ja-chun-doo-hwan-funeral-south-korea-b1965207.html|title= Widow of South Korea's last dictator offers 'deep apology' for husband's brutal rule|newspaper=The Independent|date= November 27, 2021|author= Anuj Pant|access-date= November 28, 2021}}{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/27/widow-of-former-south-korean-dictator-chun-doo-hwan-offers-deep-apology-for-brutal-rule|title= Widow of former South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan offers 'deep apology' for brutal rule|newspaper=The Guardian|date= November 27, 2021|author= |access-date= November 28, 2021}}

On 16 March 2023, one of Chun's grandsons, Chun Woo-won posted on Instagram, expressing his disgust and revulsion at his grandfather's acts, and stated that his parents were living off the illegal wealth accumulated by Chun and his family. He called his grandfather a "slaughterer" and described him as a criminal rather than a hero.{{cite web|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/former-south-korean-president-chun-doo-hwan-s-grandson-slams-his-family|title= Former South Korean president Chun Doo-hwan's grandson slams his family|newspaper=The Straits Times|date= March 15, 2023|access-date= March 16, 2023}} Chun Woo-won also confessed that he took drugs, for which he was formally charged in April of that same year. South Korean prosecutors expressed that they would be reviewing the drug allegations and other allegations regarding the Chun family's illegal wealth accordingly.{{cite web|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korean-prosecution-starts-looking-into-black-money-confession-of-ex-president-chun-doo-hwan-s-grandson|title= S. Korean prosecutors to look into 'black money' confession by ex-president's grandson|newspaper=The Straits Times|date= March 22, 2023|access-date= March 23, 2023}}{{cite web|url= https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korean-police-looking-into-drug-allegations-raised-by-ex-president-chun-doo-hwan-s-grandson|title= South Korean police probing drug allegations by ex-president Chun Doo-hwan's grandson|newspaper=The Straits Times|date= March 21, 2023|access-date= March 23, 2023}}

Chun Woo-won visited Gwangju cemetery on 31 March 2023. He made apologies for what his grandfather had done and consoled relatives of those who died in Gwangju. He said: "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."{{cite news | access-date = April 1, 2023 | url = https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3215554/south-korean-dictator-chun-doo-hwans-grandson-apologises-sinner-and-slaughterer-grandfather-and-1980 | newspaper = South China Morning Post | date = March 31, 2023 | agency = Agence France-Presse | title = South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan's grandson apologises for 'sinner and slaughterer' grandfather and 1980 massacre }} Chun Woo-won was eventually found guilty of drug consumption and sentenced to 30 months' jail, suspended for four years, as well as 120 hours of community service, 80 hours of a drug treatment program and a confiscation of 2.66 million won. The court reportedly took into consideration Chun Woo-won's voluntary cooperation with the police and regret for the wrongdoing, and therefore erred on the side of leniency by handing him a suspended sentence. Civil groups reportedly petitioned for leniency on account that he took steps to apologize for his grandfather's crimes.{{cite web|url= https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/11/113_365600.html|title=Grandson of ex-President Chun receives suspended jail term over illegal drug use|newspaper=The Korea Times|date= December 22, 2023}}{{cite web|url= https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/10/113_372006.html|title= Appeals court confirms drug conviction for ex-president's grandson|newspaper=The Korea Times|date= April 3, 2024 }}

• {{flag|South Korea}}:
• 60px Recipient of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa
• 60px First Class of the Order of Merit for National Foundation

• {{Flag|Indonesia}}:
• 60px Star of the Republic of Indonesia, 1st Class (1981){{Cite book|last=Pewarta Departemen Luar Negeri RI|first=Indonesia|date=1981|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oL_f-JUzVqoC&q=adipurna|title=Pewarta Departemen Luar Negeri RI Volume 17-25|location=Indonesia|publisher=Pusat Dokumentasi dan Perpustakaan, Badan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Masalah Luar Negeri, Departemen Luar Negeri RI|pages=62}}
• {{flag|Malaysia}}:
• 60px Honorary Recipient of the Order of the Crown of the Realm (1981){{cite web|url=http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v8/images/stories/1981.pdf|title=Senarai Penuh Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 1981.|access-date=6 June 2016|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728124717/http://www.istiadat.gov.my/v8/images/stories/1981.pdf|url-status=dead}}
• {{flag|Philippines}}:
• 60px Grand Collar of the Order of Sikatuna (1981){{Cite web|last=Visits|first=Philippine Diplomatic|date=2017-03-31|title=Philippine Diplomatic Visits: Philippines ~ South Korea 1981|url=https://philippinediplomaticvisits.blogspot.com/2017/03/philippines-south-korea-1981.html|website=Philippine Diplomatic Visits|access-date=2025-04-05}}
• {{Flag|Maldives}}:
• File:Order of Izzuddin (Maldives) - ribbon bar v. 1996.png Grand Cordon of the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (1984)
• {{flag|Thailand}}:
• 60px Knight of Order of the Rajamitrabhorn (1981)ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, [https://web.archive.org/web/20141231082750/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2526/D/102/11.PDF แจ้งความสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์], เล่ม ๑๐๐, ตอน ๑๐๒ ง ฉบับพิเศษ, ๒๒ มิถุนายน พ.ศ. ๒๕๒๖, หน้า ๑๑

• Chun was portrayed by South Korean actor Lee Deok-hwa in the 2005 MBC television series 5th Republic.
• Chun was referenced in the 2015 South Korean television series Reply 1988.
• The 2012 South Korean film 26 Years has a plot of an assassination plan of Chun.
• A fictional South Korean president, modelled after Chun Doo-hwan, is portrayed in a cameo by an unknown actor in the 2021 JTBC drama series Snowdrop.
• A fictional South Korean general, modeled after Chun Doo-hwan, is portrayed as "Chun Doo-gwang" in the 2023 South Korean film 12.12: The Day.{{cite web |title=12:12: The Day (Seoul Spring) |url=https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/12-12-the-day-seoul-spring-75463 |website=AMC Theatres |access-date=4 December 2023}}
• Chun appears as a fictional character in the South Korean action thriller Hunt as a retaliatory target for a rogue military intelligence officers for his involvement the 1980 student massacre during the Rangoon Bombing.

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

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• {{commons category-inline}}

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{{Succession box

| before=Choi Kyu-hah

| title=President of South Korea

| years=1980–1988

| after=Roh Tae-woo

}}

{{s-end}}

• [https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1020488.html Former S. Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan dies unapologetic and unrepentant – Hankyoreh Nov. 23, 2021]

{{Presidents of South Korea}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chun, Doo-hwan}}

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