Kim Yong-pan "Families of North Korean People's Army Victims Should Also Receive Compensation"

Representative Proposal of the Amendment to the "Basic Act on Past History Settlement for Truth and Reconciliation"

Kim Yong-pan, Member of the People Power Party (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] A path has opened for the families of civilian victims of the Korean War caused by invading forces such as the North Korean military to receive compensation.

On the 18th, Kim Yong-pan, a member of the People Power Party, announced that he had introduced a bill to amend the "Basic Act on Past Affairs Settlement for Truth and Reconciliation," which aims to ensure substantial and appropriate compensation for the families of civilian victims caused by the North Korean military and others.

According to Representative Kim, families of victims who had their cases investigated by the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which operated from 2005 to 2010, filed lawsuits against the state for compensation and won, receiving about 150 million won. In contrast, families of victims caused by invading forces such as the North Korean military lost their cases because the perpetrator was North Korea, and thus did not receive compensation. The responsibility for compensation lies with North Korea. As a result, civilian victims who faced the North Korean military have no way to receive compensation.

Some families excluded from compensation have been reapplying to the second Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which began activities in 2020, by changing the perpetrator from North Korea to the South Korean military and police. In fact, some cases that were recognized as victims of the North Korean military during the first commission have changed the perpetrator to the Republic of Korea's military and police in the second commission to receive compensation.

To improve this situation, the amendment includes provisions such as "defining the concept of war victims related to the Korean War," "establishing grounds and procedures for compensation for Korean War victims," and "mandatory investigation of victims' collaboration activities."

Representative Kim said, "Highlighting the Republic of Korea's military and police, who defended the country against invading forces, as direct or indirect perpetrators is a serious distortion of history and a tragedy caused by the inadequacy of the compensation system."