[Forgotten Hero] ④ Shin Wonsik "The Sacrifice of Heroes Must Be Properly Honored"

Shin Won-sik "If Sacrifices Are Ignored, Who Will Fight in Crisis?"
Military POWs' Lawsuit Against North Korea... 'State First Compensation' Bill
Military Divides Returning POWs by Rank... "Need to Reconsider Grading System"
Listening to Survivors' Difficulties... "Will Correct Mistakes"

Editor's NoteJuly 27, 1953. The armistice agreement was signed, and gunfire ceased on the Korean Peninsula. However, tens of thousands of ROK prisoners of war (POWs) were forced into North Korean coal mines without returning to their families, and the young soldiers who fought on the battlefield became "forgotten heroes" neglected by their homeland. Seventy years later, the surviving detainees in North Korea are estimated to be over 90 years old. This is why the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's term is regarded as the "last chance." On the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement, we examine the system that has ignored the sacrifices of ROK POWs and seek improvement measures.

On the 7th floor of the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, there is a special "table." On the round table covered with a pure white cloth lie salt, roses, an upside-down wine glass, and candles. Each item symbolizes the "tears" of families waiting for ROK POWs, the "hope" that they are still alive, and the "sorrow" of not being able to be together. In particular, the candle symbolizes the "light" that will illuminate the way back to the homeland. After entering the 21st National Assembly, People Power Party lawmaker Shin Won-sik placed this table in front of his office door, praying for the "safe return" of the POWs.

In a recent interview with Asia Economy, Rep. Shin emphasized, "If we neglect citizens who sacrificed for the country, who would be willing to risk their lives to fight when the nation is in crisis?" He stressed, "Protecting and honoring the ROK POWs who fought with their lives is the Republic of Korea's natural duty."

Shin Won-sik, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Earlier last month, Rep. Shin introduced a bill to amend the ROK POW Repatriation Act. Although returning ROK POWs, including elder Kim Seong-tae, won a damages lawsuit against North Korea, they have not received a single penny in compensation. The Korea Foundation for Inter-Korean Economic and Cultural Cooperation (hereafter Kyungmoonhyeop, Chairman Lim Jong-seok), which holds copyright royalties payable to North Korean state media, is a practical alternative to pay the damages on their behalf. However, Kyungmoonhyeop maintains the position that "since the money is to be paid to the copyright holders, not the North Korean authorities, it cannot be disposed of."

Rep. Shin criticized Kyungmoonhyeop, which even appealed the court's order for debt collection, saying, "Unless they are pro-North, such an attitude is hard to understand." In reality, since North Korea does not recognize individual copyrights, the royalties held by Kyungmoonhyeop are believed to eventually become funds for Kim Jong-un's regime, specifically for nuclear and missile development. Rep. Shin explained, "Since most returning ROK POWs are elderly over 90 years old, I prepared an amendment applying a subrogation payment method so that the state can pay compensation first, separate from disputes with Kyungmoonhyeop."

A table set up in the office of Shin Won-sik, a member of the People Power Party, wishing for the safe return of Korean War prisoners of war. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

He recalled that all 80 returning ROK POWs escaped North Korea on their own and pointed out, "Previous governments only demanded POW repatriation at a 'show' level and effectively neglected the issue." He added, "The Moon Jae-in administration, despite holding three summits, did not utter a single word about ROK POWs. When the UN Human Rights Council adopted the North Korean Human Rights Resolution in March 2021, which included ROK POW content for the first time, South Korea withdrew as a co-sponsor. This is the result of blind protection of North Korea shown by a former human rights lawyer."

▶Partial Amendment to the Act on the Repatriation and Treatment of ROK POWs

The bill centers on allowing the government (Minister of National Defense) to exercise subrogation rights against those obligated to pay damages after the government pays the damages first. It explicitly includes cases where damage compensation judgments were finalized before the law's enforcement to strengthen state responsibility.

"Reconsideration of ROK POW Grading System"... Calls for Efforts from Related Ministries

Shin Won-sik, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Rep. Shin urged the Ministry of National Defense to reconsider the grading system that classifies ROK POWs. It was confirmed through our report that the Ministry assigned the lowest grade, considered to have committed "indirect hostile acts," to 70 out of 80 returning ROK POWs. As a former three-star general, he said, "In the past, such criteria were necessary due to concerns that POWs might actively cooperate with North Korea or leak secrets unfavorable to our forces," but added, "A long time has passed, and the special circumstances of decades of forced labor must be considered."

As the Yoon Seok-yeol administration emphasizes "veterans affairs," he also called for efforts from related ministries. This includes not only the Ministry of National Defense but also the Ministry of Unification, which negotiates with North Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which voices concerns in the international community, and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, which honors the sacrifices of veterans. Rep. Shin suggested, "Dialogue is important, but the Ministry of Unification should not act like North Korea's spokesperson. Just as Minister Kwon Young-se issued a statement holding North Korea accountable for the unauthorized operation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the government should issue statements urging the repatriation of ROK POWs."

Rep. Shin said, "The most regrettable and important fact is that there is not much time left for ROK POWs," adding, "Since the amendment requires the consent of the Democratic Party, it will not be easy, but I will do my best to ensure that ROK POWs who fought for the country receive proper treatment and compensation."

"Thank you, seniors... We will correct what is wrong"

On the afternoon of the 26th, one day before the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement, Shin Won-sik, a member of the People Power Party, visited surviving repatriated South Korean prisoners of war at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to offer consolation and listen to their difficulties. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

On the afternoon of the 26th, one day before the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement, Rep. Shin personally invited returning ROK POW elders Yoo Young-bok and Kim Seong-tae to his office to console them and listen to their difficulties. He promised, "It is true that previous governments made mistakes. I will carefully examine what problems existed and do my best to correct them." Ministry of National Defense officials were also present at the meeting.

In particular, elder Yoo Young-bok appealed, "It was truly miserable that some people misunderstood us as if we stayed in North Korea because we wanted to, asking why we did not come back during POW repatriation." He added, "I don't know how many of the ROK POWs detained in North Korea are still alive, but I hope the misconception that we stayed because we wanted to or turned away during the decades we were trapped in coal mines disappears."

Meanwhile, ROK POW elder A passed away on the night of the 26th at the age of 93. With this, the number of surviving returning ROK POWs has decreased to 12. He was captured in June 1953 during the battle in the Geumhwa area of Gangwon Province, just a month before the armistice agreement, and endured forced labor in coal mines in Dancheon, South Hamgyong Province, for 47 years. He escaped North Korea on his own in 2001, after turning seventy. The funeral will be held at the ROK Armed Forces Capital Hospital funeral hall, with the funeral service scheduled for the 29th.