The South Korean defense ministry has weighed in on a tragedy -- a crime, even -- long thought to have been committed by the South Korean military.
It confirmed Wednesday that back in 1980 the military did indeed use helicopters to fire on civilians during the May 18th Gwangju pro-democracy movement.
According to the results of an investigation by a special defense ministry committee, the South Korean military fired on the protesters demonstrating against Chun Do-hwan's military regime... using U.S.-made light helicopters... and with armed fighter jets on standby.
There's no hard evidence that the government gave a direct order for troops in the helicopters to attack,... but many witnesses have testified to the shooting.
The committee suggested that the government and the military apologize to the people for what it called an unacceptable crime that could almost be called a massacre.