Busan City to Start Accepting Applications for Support Funds for Victims of Hyeongjebokjiwon Case from the 29th

Compensation and Living Stability Support Fund Provided for the First Time, Mayor Park Hyung-jun Promises Substantial Support for Victims

Medical Institutions Eligible for Medical Expense Support... 7 Additional Facilities Added at Busan Medical Ce

Busan City will begin accepting applications for compensation payments to victims of the Hyeongjebokjiwon case starting on the 29th.

The support includes ▲a consolation payment of 5 million KRW (one-time) ▲a monthly living stabilization support of 200,000 KRW ▲medical expenses up to an annual limit of 5 million KRW. Eligible applicants are those who have received a truth verification decision from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and are registered residents of Busan City as of the application date.

Among these support funds, the consolation payment and living stabilization support are being provided for the first time. This follows Mayor Park Hyung-jun’s direct meeting with victim representatives in May last year, where he promised substantial support for the victims. After going through preparations such as revising the support ordinance, payments will begin this year.

In May last year, Mayor Park personally listened to the heartbreaking stories of the victims during a meeting with victim representatives. At that time, the mayor expressed a moral responsibility for the human rights violations caused by state violence that occurred in Busan in the past and promised to strive for practical support.

Since then, the city has undergone advisory consultations with the commission and revised the support ordinance to expand support projects. Despite difficult financial conditions, the city has allocated a budget of 2.79 billion KRW for this year to provide the compensation payments.

Applications can be submitted by visiting or mailing the payment application form along with the required documents to the city’s Human Rights Promotion Team or the Victim Comprehensive Support Center.

Applications can be made by the victims themselves or by their representatives. Application forms are available on the city’s website or at the “Hyeongjebokjiwon Case Victim Support Center.” Required submission documents can also be checked on the city’s website.

The consolation payment and living stabilization support will be paid quarterly directly into the recipient’s bank account, while medical expenses will be supported through a post-settlement system where the city reimburses after the victim receives treatment at designated hospitals.

Additionally, starting this year, the number of medical institutions eligible for medical expense support has increased from the existing Busan Medical Center to a total of eight, adding seven more locations for the convenience of victims.

The designated medical institutions are ▲Busan Medical Center (Yeonje-gu) ▲Sewoong Hospital (Geumjeong-gu) ▲Busan Himchan Hospital (Dongnae-gu) ▲Gupo Bumin Hospital (Buk-gu) ▲Hyosung City Hospital (Haeundae-gu) ▲Nune Bit Eye Clinic (Busanjin-gu) ▲Dadae Tuntun Dental Clinic (Saha-gu) ▲Bareuni Kim Dae-sik Dental Clinic (Suyeong-gu).

The designated medical institutions have been evenly distributed across regions to improve accessibility and expand choices for victims, which is expected to further enhance the quality of medical services provided through this support.

Regarding concerns that basic livelihood security recipients among the victims might face reductions in their benefits, the city plans to request the Ministry of Health and Welfare to revise guidelines to ensure that all eligible victims can receive the support payments.

Mayor Park Hyung-jun emphasized, “To create a city of citizen happiness where people want to live again, we must warmly embrace those who were inevitably made socially vulnerable due to past state violence. The top priority of this support project is to establish a virtuous cycle where victims can become self-reliant members of society.” He added, “There must be appropriate national-level measures for serious human rights violations caused by state violence. Our city will actively discuss this with relevant government departments.”