Controversy Over 'Self-Benefit' Even Within the Party... Woo Won-sik Responds, "I Don't Understand"

Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the confirmation hearing for Kim Dae-ji, nominee for Commissioner of the National Tax Service, held by the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee on August 19. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Amid controversy over the proposed Democratic Merit Act, which provides tuition and employment support to children of those who died, were injured, or went missing during the democratization movement, Woo Won-shik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, rebutted by saying, "I do not understand the controversy."

On the 9th, appearing on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," Rep. Woo responded to criticism from fellow party member Lee Won-wook, stating, "This is not about honoring those who went to prison for participating in the democratization movement, but rather about limited application to those whose damage or wounds remain lifelong. I do not understand why this controversy has arisen."

He also said, "Not everyone who participated in the democratization movement is eligible. Among members of the National Assembly, there is not a single person who qualifies," adding, "Conservative media calling this the 'Activist Self-Privilege Act' is completely false. This is not granting new privileges; it simply applies what is already stipulated in the Merit Act, and the number of beneficiaries is very limited, just over 800."

Meanwhile, on the 23rd of last month, Woo Won-shik, along with 20 other lawmakers including Woo Sang-ho, Yoon Mi-hyang, and In Jae-keun, jointly introduced a bill to amend the Democratic Merit Act to guarantee education, employment, and medical support to participants and their families of democratization movements beyond the April 19 Revolution and the May 18 Democratization Movement.

Lee Won-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea running for the party's Supreme Council member election, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on August 23. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As a result, the controversy over the "Activist Privilege Act" intensified not only among opposition parties but also within the ruling party. Lee Won-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized, "Although I am also a lawmaker from the democratization movement background, I find it difficult to understand the excessive support proposed in this amendment."

He continued, "It is not about the number of beneficiaries. The democratization movement forces used the power entrusted by the people to support themselves," adding, "The spirit of the times in South Korea in 2020 is 'fairness.' Each complex and diverse issue must be evaluated through the lens of fairness."

As criticism grew within the party, Rep. Woo countered, "Is it wrong for society to share the suffering of democratization movement merit recipients?"

He stated, "Those who gained social status as lawmakers through the democratization movement, including myself, should consider whether it is right to say to those who lost their lives or went missing during the movement, 'You should not expect any compensation.'"

According to the Democratic Merit Act, spouses or children of democratization movement victims who were injured, died, or went missing are entitled to full tuition support for middle school, high school, and university, and receive up to a 10% bonus point when applying for jobs in government, public institutions, or private organizations. The National Assembly Budget Office estimated that if this bill passes, approximately 5.8 billion won in national funding will be required over five years from 2021 to 2025 for education and employment support.

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