Portrait of Chun Doo Hwan
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Chun Doo Hwan on Roh Tae Woo

Comrade to Convict (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Chun Doo Hwan and Roh Tae Woo were closely allied military colleagues who later became co-conspirators convicted and imprisoned for their past actions.

Key Points

  • Chun Doo Hwan selected Roh Tae Woo as his successor candidate in 1987, leading to Roh's election.

  • Both men were convicted in 1996 for corruption and their roles in the 1979 military coup and the Gwangju events.

  • Chun and Roh were pardoned in December 1997 by President Kim Young-sam for the sake of national unity.

Summary

Chun Doo Hwan's relationship with Roh Tae Woo was one of deep military camaraderie, rooted in their association within the unofficial military organization, Hanahoe. This alliance was pivotal when, facing political crisis in 1987, Chun selected his close friend Roh as the Democratic Justice Party's presidential candidate, effectively transferring power. Roh succeeded Chun as president in 1988, continuing the military-backed rule, albeit after promising democratic reforms to quell mass protests.

The shared history eventually led to shared legal fate; both former presidents were tried together for their roles in the 1979 coup and the Gwangju massacre. Both Chun and Roh were convicted of corruption, mutiny, and treason in 1996, with Roh receiving a 17-year sentence. Despite their initial political reliance on each other, their relationship concluded with them facing the same court judgments, though Chun remained more openly defiant regarding their wrongdoings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chun Doo Hwan and Roh Tae Woo were close friends and key military colleagues who rose through the ranks together, notably as members of the Hanahoe society. Chun selected Roh as his successor, and Roh was elected president in 1987, effectively continuing the military-backed governance for another term.

Yes, the two former presidents were tried together in the mid-1990s for crimes committed during their time in power. Their trials covered charges of corruption, mutiny, and treason related to the 1979 coup and the Gwangju massacre.

While they were closely allied politically and militarily, their relationship became complicated after their convictions. They were both pardoned in 1997. Roh later visited Chun in the hospital in 2014, indicating some level of continued connection until their deaths near each other in 2021.