Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol Welcomes Successful Conclusion of Reporting Period for the 'Yeosun Incident Special Act'

"Engraving Deficiencies and Extending Reporting Periods Require Continued Effort"

"Meaningful Achievements Despite 74 Years of Forgotten Time and Fading Memories"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker So Byeong-cheol (Suncheon·Gwangyang·Gokseong·Gurye (Gap)) on the 25th (Wednesday) expressed his views on the enactment of the 「Yeosun Incident Special Act」, established 73 years after the incident, which has been in effect since January 21, 2022, and the conclusion of the one-year period for fact-finding and victim/family reporting. He said, “I actively welcome this historic achievement,” and added, “We must seriously reflect on the shortcomings and continue efforts such as extending the reporting period.”

According to the current law, as of the deadline for reporting on January 20, 2023, a total of 6,691 reports were received, including 193 fact-finding cases and 6,498 victim and family cases related to the Yeosun Incident.

On the 25th, Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol expressed his active welcome for the historic achievement that the 「Yeosun Incident Special Act」, enacted 73 years after the incident, has been in effect since January 21, 2022, and that the one-year period for fact-finding and reporting of victims and bereaved families has ended.
Photo by Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol's Office

It has been over 74 years since the Yeosun Incident occurred, and many victims and their families, who are the reporting parties, have scattered to different regions. Until a few years ago, the incident was perceived as a ‘rebellion,’ and families suffered from the stigma of guilt by association, which likely limited their active participation in reporting. In this context, the results are regarded as meaningful achievements.

Previously, on October 6 of last year, under the 「Yeosun Incident Special Act」, for the first time in South Korean history, 45 victims and 214 family members of the Yeosun Incident were officially recognized. Subsequently, in December of the same year, an additional 110 victims and 692 family members were recognized, bringing the total to 155 victims and 906 family members acknowledged, marking a historic milestone.

Lawmaker So Byeong-cheol stated, “Despite the heavy workload over the past year, including fact-finding, victim and family reporting, ex officio investigations, and victim and family evaluations, I would like to extend special praise and gratitude to the Yeosun Incident Committee and related public officials who have done their best with a sense of mission.” He emphasized, “However, shortcomings such as improving the reporting rate and supplementing professional investigative personnel must be thoroughly reorganized going forward, and I urge the government to make active efforts to achieve a complete resolution of the Yeosun Incident.”

He continued, “Despite 74 years of oblivion that have even blurred traces of memory, the receipt of over 6,000 reports under the Special Act and the first-ever official recognition of Yeosun Incident victims and families in South Korean history are historically significant achievements,” adding, “Since the Jeju 4.3 Special Act has been in place for over 20 years with ongoing victim and family reporting and evaluations, our Yeosun Incident must also be addressed with a long-term perspective to ensure that not a single victim or family member is omitted and that a complete resolution is achieved.”

Meanwhile, on the 25th at 11 a.m., Lawmaker So expressed strong support for the contents of the ‘Yeosun Incident Fact-Finding and Honor Restoration Committee and Jeollanam-do Working Committee 1st Anniversary Victim Reporting 1st Deadline Press Conference’ held by the Yeosun Uprising National Families Federation and Yeosun Pan-National Solidarity. Regarding their government demands including ▲ immediate extension of the reporting period ▲ expansion of ex officio investigations ▲ formation of a support team centered on civilian experts ▲ prompt establishment of a fact-finding report planning team ▲ expansion of professional investigators and fact-finding personnel ▲ clarification of Jeollanam-do’s role and responsibilities in Yeosun Incident affairs ▲ and the need for revision and supplementation of the Special Act and enforcement decree, he said, “I urge the government to listen closely to the earnest voices of the Yeosun organizations and actively strive to promptly implement these demands.” He added, “I will also devote all my efforts to revising the Special Act and enforcement decree.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr