The ministry established the special committee last year after President Moon Jae-in ordered a thorough probe into related allegations.

Due to the legal limitation of the panel, however, its investigation is incomplete, Song pointed out.

He added his ministry will do its best to introduce special legislation on the Gwangju incident.

The minister also pledged to take "legal and systemic" measures to prevent the military from interfering in politics or being politically used.

He did not receive any question from media after reading out the statement.

Ministry officials said it's the first time that the country's defense chief has apologized for the military's reckless crackdown on the Gwangju uprising.

Students started protests against the Chun regime. As paratroopers beat and arrested them, many angry ordinary citizens joined the demonstrations.

As the troops fired into a crowd, protesting civilians began to arm themselves, forming a defense force called the Citizens Army.

The bloodshed led to the deaths of around 200 people, and 1,000 others were wounded, according to a formal tally. But other estimates put the death toll at 1,000-2,000.

Military leaders at that time claimed the use of force against the civilians was accidental, but the investigation team's findings suggest that it was a premeditated crackdown. (Yonhap)