Assemblyman Yongbin Lee Proposes Amendment to the "Act on the Treatment of 5·18 Democratic Merit Recipients"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Rep. Lee Yong-bin (Democratic Party of Korea·Gwangju Gwangsan Gap) announced on the 15th that he has taken the lead in proposing a revision to the "Act on the Honoring of 5·18 Democratic Movement Merit Holders," which has remained an unresolved long-standing issue for 18 years, to establish public legal entities for the 5·18 merit holders.

The amendment changes the current title of the "Act on the Honoring of 5·18 Democratic Movement Merit Holders" to the "Act on the Honoring of 5·18 Democratic Movement Merit Holders and the Establishment of Organizations," and includes provisions to allow the establishment of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Injured Association, the 5·18 Democratic Movement Merit Holders’ Bereaved Families Association, and the 5·18 Democratic Movement Contributors Association to enhance the rights and interests of 5·18 democratic movement merit holders and their families.

Since 2003, the necessity of establishing public legal entities has been raised and discussions have continued until now, but no resolution was reached due to the lack of consensus among the organizations. It is highly significant that after 18 years, the related 5·18 organizations have reached a sudden consensus on the contents of the bill.

The current "Act on the Honoring of 5·18 Democratic Movement Merit Holders" was enacted to provide appropriate state honors to those who sacrificed or contributed to the 5·18 Democratic Movement and their bereaved families, granting various veterans’ benefits to those who contributed to the movement.

However, since the 5·18 democratic movement-related organizations are not defined as public legal entities, they have faced difficulties in member management and operation.

Until now, independent merit holders, national merit holders, veterans’ compensation recipients, and their families who are in financial difficulty have been receiving a living adjustment allowance ranging from a minimum of 210,000 KRW to a maximum of 320,000 KRW, but 5·18 democratic movement merit holders (including bereaved families) have faced hardships due to the absence of any financial livelihood support, as they only received one-time compensation.

In response, the amendment explicitly provides for the payment of living adjustment allowances to 5·18 democratic movement merit holders (and their families) who are in financial difficulty, enabling them to secure at least a minimum means of livelihood. Additionally, the scope of bereaved families or relatives is expanded to include one recommended sibling in cases where the deceased or missing persons of the 5·18 democratic movement have no direct ascendants or descendants.

Furthermore, the amendment allows 5·18 democratic movement-related organizations to engage in profit-making businesses within their scope of operations, and permits the state or local governments to provide subsidies necessary for the operation of each organization within the budget.

Rep. Lee said, "This amendment is significant in honoring the contributions of 5·18 democratic movement merit holders and their families to the democratization movement, and in establishing a legal basis for improving members’ welfare and the smooth operation of the organizations. Since this is a long-standing wish of the May organizations, I will work to ensure the amendment passes the National Assembly promptly to promote the noble spirit of sacrifice and foster the spirit of democratization."

Meanwhile, the bill was jointly proposed by a total of 68 lawmakers, including Gwangju and Jeonnam National Assembly members such as Yoon Young-duk, Lee Byung-hoon, Song Gap-seok, Yang Hyang-ja, Lee Hyung-seok, Cho Oh-seop, Min Hyung-bae, Kang Eun-mi, and Song Young-gil.

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