Past Affairs Act Reaches Agreement Excluding 'Compensation'... Due to Budget Constraints

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The ruling and opposition parties are intensifying their last-minute negotiations on bills ahead of the final plenary session of the 20th National Assembly scheduled for the 20th. The main issue is the so-called "Past Affairs Act," officially known as the "Basic Act on the Resolution of Past Affairs for Truth and Reconciliation." Although discussions seemed to gain momentum through the mediation of Kim Moosung, a member of the Future United Party, the ruling and opposition parties have yet to reach a consensus over compensation and reparations.

The Past Affairs Act aims to investigate and uncover the truth about incidents such as the anti-Japanese independence movement, anti-democratic or human rights violations, violence, massacres, and suspicious deaths. It is a bill that can clarify cases of human rights violations caused by state power, such as the Brothers Home, Seongam Academy, and Seosan Spy Group incidents. To this end, it includes provisions to reactivate the Past Affairs Commission, whose activity period expired in 2010, to investigate unresolved past issues. However, after passing the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee in October last year, the bill has been stalled in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

As the bill's passage was delayed and the possibility of its dismissal within the 20th National Assembly became apparent, Choi Seungwoo (51), a victim of the Brothers Home, staged a high-altitude protest on the roof of the National Assembly's entrance on the 5th, urging its passage. In response, Kim Moosung of the Future United Party held an impromptu meeting and promised to pass the bill within the 20th National Assembly, persuading Choi to end the protest. With Kim's mediation, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to handle the bill within the 20th National Assembly, but disagreements have resurfaced ahead of the final plenary session.

The core issue is the compensation and reparations clause. Article 36 of the amended Past Affairs Act stipulates that "measures such as compensation to comfort victims and bereaved families, and the implementation of memorial projects" must be taken. Unlike the current law, which only specifies "appropriate measures" with unclear standards, the amendment intends for the government to be obligated to provide compensation and reparations to victims. However, within the United Party, concerns have been raised that if the bill passes, the budget for victims related to the Past Affairs Act could reach as high as 4.68 trillion won, leading to calls to roll back parts of the amendment.

The bill is moving toward passage excluding the compensation and reparations provisions. Park Sungjoon, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, said after a meeting of floor leaders on the 14th, "Compensation and reparations are the key issues, but both the Democratic Party and the United Party agreed that if it is not about that issue, prompt passage is possible." The chief floor negotiators of both parties plan to continue last-minute negotiations during the remaining period.

The "4.3 Special Act," which focuses on compensation for victims and bereaved families of the Jeju 4.3 Incident, nullification of military trials, and additional fact-finding investigations, is becoming uncertain to pass within the 20th National Assembly. Although there was some consensus between the ruling and opposition parties to pass the bill, disagreements among government ministries have influenced the situation. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance raised concerns about funding, while the Ministry of the Interior and Safety argued that various aspects such as fairness with other past incidents need to be reviewed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.