"To Prevent Fake 5·18 Merit Recipients, Public Law Organizations Must Be Excluded from the Compensation Review Committee"

On the 28th, Four May Organizations Gather for a Press Conference

After 8 years, the resumption of 'Compensation for Participants in the May 18 Democratic Movement' has sparked claims that May organizations under public law should not be part of the review committee.

On the 28th at 1 PM, four organizations related to May, including the May Mothers' House, held a press conference at the Citizens Communication Room of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Council in Seo-gu, Gwangju, stating that "public law organizations should be excluded from participating in the compensation review committee."
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

On the 28th at 1 p.m., four May-related organizations, including the May Mothers' House, held a press conference in the Citizen Communication Room of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Council in Seo-gu, Gwangju, stating, "Organizations under public law that damage the spirit of May 18 should be excluded from participating in the compensation review committee."

The organizations said, "While we very much welcome the resumption of compensation work following the revision of the May 18-related law after 8 years, we are also aware of the public's significant concerns about the fairness of May 18 compensation," adding, "The issue of 'fake May 18 merit recipients,' which has proliferated and become institutionalized over the past 30 years during the compensation process, is no secret within May organizations."

They continued, "Behind the 'fake merit recipients' lies the practice of representatives from public law organizations such as the May 18 Democratic Movement Injured Association, Merit Association, and Bereaved Families Association participating in the screening subcommittee for determining May 18-related eligibility," and claimed, "This has led to a practice of false personal guarantees and 'shoulder guarantees' (mutual endorsements) among May organization screening committee members based on false records, resulting in the proliferation of fake merit recipients."

They further stated, "In 2000, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office conducted a large-scale investigation into false May 18 claims, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of 35 individuals and the recovery of compensation funds. Additionally, in connection with the embezzlement and breach of trust case involving over 60 false hospitalizations at Namgwangju Hospital, May 18 merit recipient Jeong Ok-ok made a conscience declaration regarding personal guarantees in 2018," emphasizing, "Institutional loopholes must be addressed to prevent fake merit recipients from emerging in the 8th round of compensation."

Yang Gi-nam, president of the May 18 People's Uprising Mobile Strike Force Comrades Association, said, "We oppose not only public law organizations but all May organizations participating in the compensation review committee to conduct 'self-assessments,'" adding, "The compensation review committee should be composed of professionals such as police officers and doctors who can conduct compensation reviews based on facts and data."

After the press conference, the organizations delivered a petition containing these contents to Kang Gi-jung, mayor of Gwangju.