Minister of the Interior Urged to Amend the Enforcement Decree of the May 18 Compensation Act
Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Yang Bu-nam is questioning Minister Lee Sang-min at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety audit held at the National Assembly on the 7th. [Photo by Yang Bu-nam's office]
Yang Bu-nam, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Seo-gu Eul, recently pointed out issues with the enforcement decree for compensation payments to 5·18 sexual violence victims during the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s National Assembly audit.
The 5·18 Compensation Act was amended in June 2021 to allow sexual violence victims from the 5·18 Gwangju Uprising to receive compensation, medical support, and living support funds. However, since the enforcement decree has not been revised, these victims are unable to receive other support funds.
The current enforcement decree limits the recipients of other support funds to those “recognized as unable to engage in their livelihood or other work due to active participation in the 5·18 Democratization Movement,” which excludes sexual violence victims.
Additionally, the comprehensive report published on June 24 by the 5·18 Truth Investigation Committee recommended that the state prepare measures for healing, restoration of honor, and compensation for sexual violence victims. The 5·18 Truth Investigation Act requires heads of state agencies to report to the National Assembly within six months on the implementation plans or results of actions taken in response to the committee’s recommendations.
During questioning, Representative Yang asked Minister Lee Sang-min of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety whether the government is preparing measures for healing, restoration of honor, and compensation for sexual violence victims, but Minister Lee was completely unaware that the comprehensive report had even been published.
Representative Yang criticized, “There are only about 80 days left until the National Assembly reporting deadline. Please thoroughly establish a plan and report to the National Assembly starting now.”
On the 10th, Representative Yang stated, “Although those who suffered sexual violence during the 5·18 incident have become eligible for compensation under the 5·18 Compensation Act, the enforcement decree does not reflect this at all, leaving them in a blind spot. Through this audit, I pointed out the problem, and in the upcoming audits of Gwangju City and Jeonnam Province, I plan to thoroughly address issues related to compensation beyond other support funds.”
Meanwhile, under the 5·18 Compensation Act, the Mayor of Gwangju serves as the chairperson of the 5·18 Democratization Movement Related Persons Compensation Deliberation Committee, and the Governor of Jeonnam Province is a member of the compensation deliberation committee.
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