"Criminal Jeon Du-hwan Excluded from State Funeral"... 'Gwangju' Jo O-seop Proposes First Bill

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] On the 7th, Jo O-seop, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Buk-gu Gap district, announced that he has introduced a bill to amend the National Funeral Act, tentatively called the 'Exclusion of Jeon Du-hwan from State Funerals Act,' as his first legislative proposal.

Rep. Jo explained the reason for the amendment, stating, "The current law only stipulates the subjects of state funerals, such as former and incumbent presidents, but there is no provision excluding individuals who have committed serious crimes against public sentiment from state funerals."

The amendment applies Article 79 of the Act on the Honorable Treatment and Support of Persons of Distinguished Service to the State (the National Merit Act) by analogy, restricting those who have committed crimes warranting exclusion from being eligible for state funerals. Specifically, individuals who have been convicted of violating laws such as the National Security Act, Criminal Act, Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, Act on the Protection of Juveniles from Sexual Abuse, and Military Secrets Protection Act are excluded from state funeral eligibility.

Former President Jeon was sentenced to death in the first trial and life imprisonment in the second trial on charges including rebellion-related murder during the December 12, 1979 military coup and the May 18, 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, as well as violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery). However, in December 1997, then-President-elect Kim Dae-jung requested a pardon and reconciliation, which was accepted by then-President Kim Young-sam, resulting in a pardon and release. Currently, Jeon is on trial for defamation of the deceased (Article 308 of the Criminal Act).

Rep. Jo stated, "We cannot allow the person responsible for the May 18 Gwangju Massacre to receive state funeral honors simply because he was a former president," adding, "Jeon Du-hwan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for serious crimes, should be excluded from state funerals regardless of pardon or reinstatement."

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