Resolved 2,021 Defense and Veterans Complaints
Reexamination of War Dead and Disability Grades Underway
Information Update for 410,000 Veterans
Since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, 2,021 complaints in the defense and veterans affairs sectors filed with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission have been resolved, resulting in the protection of the rights and interests of approximately 445,000 people.
On the 30th, the Defense Ombudsman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced that over the past two years and five months, it has safeguarded the rights and interests of about 445,000 individuals, including military personnel and veterans, as well as residents near military facilities.
The Defense Ombudsman of the Commission is a system established in 2006 to investigate and protect the fundamental rights of citizens who suffer from illegal or unfair administrative actions and seek relief.
When categorized by type, complaints related to defense accounted for 65% of the total, representing the largest share.
The Commission resolved defense-related complaints filed by residents near military facilities, protecting the rights of approximately 35,000 people. In Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, complaints from about 7,000 local residents were received due to the installation of the 'Jukbyeon Emergency Runway' next to a nuclear power plant, citing nuclear safety concerns. After conducting on-site investigations, the Commission held an on-site mediation meeting in 2022 and facilitated an agreement to close the Jukbyeon Emergency Runway and establish alternative facilities. Through this mediation, the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 nuclear power plants resumed.
In the veterans affairs sector, relief was provided for an operative belonging to the Army Intelligence Unit who died during the Korean War. The Commission received a grievance complaint from the bereaved family of Mr. Do Mo, who died due to an attack by Chinese Communist forces but was not recognized as having died in action, and in May expressed an opinion supporting a posthumous review of his death in combat.
Additionally, the Commission resolved a complaint regarding the reexamination of disability grades for veterans of the Vietnam War. After receiving a complaint from Mr. Jeong Mo, who was injured by grenade shrapnel during the Vietnam War, the Commission conveyed its opinion supporting a reexamination to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
To address issues of unpaid allowances due to insufficient information on veterans, the Commission also undertook institutional improvements. In July, the Commission reorganized information on 410,000 veterans to prevent cases where veterans fail to receive entitled allowances due to lack of information.
A Commission official stated, "We are actively promoting institutional improvements to resolve blind spots in veterans affairs experienced by veterans' families and to address grievances in defense and veterans sectors," adding, "We will continue to do our best to honor the dignity of veterans."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
