Jeonnam Province Welcomes Ministry of Justice’s Withdrawal and Waiver of Appeals in Yeosu-Suncheon State Compensation Cases

Focusing Administrative Efforts on Restoring Victims' Honor

77th Anniversary Joint Memorial Ceremony for the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Monument. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province has expressed its welcome for the Ministry of Justice’s decision to fully withdraw its appeals in the state compensation lawsuits filed by victims of the Yeosu-Suncheon 10·19 Incident, and to forgo filing further appeals.

According to Jeonnam Province on December 12, the Ministry of Justice decided in October to withdraw and forgo appeals in order to enhance the speed and effectiveness of relief for victims. As a result, it withdrew appeals in all 12 cases (involving 195 people) that were pending in the appellate courts, and decided not to file appeals in 22 cases (involving 339 people) where verdicts had been issued in the first or second instance.

This measure has provided a new opportunity for a total of 534 victims of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident to move one step closer to restoring their rights without the additional burden of further litigation.

Jeonnam Province described the Ministry of Justice’s decision as a historic turning point that offers genuine comfort to the victims and their families, who have endured the wounds of state violence for many years.

In particular, the province noted that this is a symbolic measure in which the state officially acknowledges the deep scars and long-standing pain left by the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, and concretely embodies the spirit of honor restoration and healing that the special law on the incident has pursued.

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province plans to continue working closely with the central government to focus its administrative capacity on ensuring that the fact-finding report, procedures for restoring the honor of victims and their families, memorial projects, and healing and remembrance initiatives proceed smoothly.