United Future Party Switches to Reflection Mode on May 18 Incident... but Related Law Revision Remains Uncertain

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Following the Democratic Party of Korea's prioritization of legislation to investigate the truth behind the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, the United Future Party has also shifted to a 'reflection mode,' raising expectations for the passage of May 18-related laws in the 21st National Assembly. However, differences between the ruling and opposition parties over the details of the related laws are expected to cause difficulties during the review process.

According to the Democratic Party on the 18th, 18 elected members from Gwangju and Jeonnam plan to jointly propose eight May 18-related bills (amendments) in line with the opening of the 21st National Assembly.

Specifically, these include ▲Special Act for the Investigation of the Truth of the May 18 Democratization Movement ▲Special Act on the May 18 Democratization Movement, etc. (Law Punishing Historical Distortion) ▲Act on the Treatment of May 18 Democratic Merit Recipients ▲Act on Compensation for Persons Related to the May 18 Democratization Movement ▲Act on the Establishment and Operation of National Cemeteries ▲Act on the Treatment and Support of National Meritorious Persons, etc. ▲Act on Support for Veterans and Compensation Recipients ▲and the National Funeral Act.

These bills focus on expanding the role and authority of the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Investigation Committee, strengthening penalties for historical distortion of May 18, prohibiting burial in national cemeteries for those who destroyed the constitutional order, restoring the honor of democratization movement merit recipients, and providing substantial compensation.

Among them, the amendment to the Special Act for the Investigation of the Truth of the May 18 Democratization Movement is a key focus for the Democratic Party. Although the Truth Investigation Committee began full-scale activities this month based on this law, it has shown limitations in its investigations due to the lack of compulsory investigation authority.

President Moon Jae-in also reaffirmed the need to investigate the person who gave the shooting order during May 18. In an interview with the media ahead of the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement, President Moon said, "It has not been revealed who gave the shooting order and where the final legal responsibility for the shooting lies," adding, "The identification of victims of the mass massacre, the circumstances that led to helicopter gunfire, the large-scale concealment of the truth, and the reality of distortion operations must all be investigated."

The passage of these bills is not expected to be smooth. This is because there are clear differences between the ruling and opposition parties on detailed items such as the content of distortion remarks, the level of punishment, and investigative authority. In particular, the United Future Party opposes the expansion of the Truth Investigation Committee's authority, including compulsory investigations, citing potential unconstitutionality.

However, the United Future Party holds a positive stance on the Act on the Treatment of Merit Recipients. United Future Party floor leader Joo Ho-young said, "We will unite our efforts to pass the amendment to the Act on the Treatment of May 18 Democratic Merit Recipients, which legalizes three May 18-related organizations (May 18 Democratization Movement Injured Association, May 18 Democratization Movement Merit Recipients' Families Association, May 18 Democratization Movement Contributors Association) as statutory bodies and enables budget support based on legal grounds," adding, "We will carefully listen to the needs and appeals of bereaved families and related parties through future meetings and consultations with May 18-related organizations."

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