A bill to amend the law to provide a basis for compensation to war victims who were sacrificed by hostile forces such as the North Korean People's Army during the Korean War has been proposed.
On June 24, Representative Sung Iljong of the People Power Party (representing Seosan and Taean in South Chungcheong Province), who serves as the chair of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, announced that he had proposed an amendment to the "Framework Act on Clearing Up Past Incidents for Truth and Reconciliation" to mark the Month of Patriots and Veterans in June. The core of the amendment is to establish provisions for war victims and to create a compensation system for them.
For cases where the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Incidents (first and second terms) has established the facts, compensation has been provided to victims who suffered at the hands of the South Korean or U.S. military. However, those who were victimized by hostile forces such as the North Korean People's Army have, despite having the facts established, mostly lost lawsuits against the state, raising ongoing concerns about fairness.
In fact, the second Truth and Reconciliation Commission decided last January to recommend legislation for compensation for those who were victimized by hostile forces.
Accordingly, the proposed amendment defines war victims as "those who died, went missing, or suffered aftereffects due to hostile forces that denied the legitimacy of the Republic of Korea or were hostile to the Republic of Korea, such as the North Korean People's Army around the time of the Korean War, as well as foreign troops, military, police, other state authorities, and their collaborators, and who have had the facts of their case established under Article 26." The amendment also includes the establishment of a War Victims Compensation Review Committee under the Prime Minister to ensure practical compensation.
Additionally, in consideration of those who previously lost lawsuits against the state, the amendment stipulates that "those whose cases were established before the enforcement of this law may apply for compensation within one year from the date of enforcement."
Representative Sung stated, "Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has uncovered many cases of harm caused by the North Korean People's Army and others during the Korean War, these individuals have suffered because there has been no legal basis for compensation from the state. I hope that this amendment, which would allow those victimized by hostile forces to receive compensation, will pass the National Assembly as soon as possible and provide some comfort to the victims and their families."
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