Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol Submits Petition from Yeosun Incident Bereaved Families to National Assembly Public Administration Committee "Special Law Must Be Enacted"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the 17th, So Byeongcheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivered a petition from the bereaved families hoping for the enactment of the Yeosun Incident Special Act to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee.

On the same day in the afternoon, Representative So, along with fellow party members Kim Seungnam, Kim Hoejae, Seo Dongyong, and Joo Cheolhyun, who jointly proposed the Yeosun Incident Special Act, visited the Public Administration and Security Committee to deliver the petition to the committee chair Seo Younggyo of the Democratic Party and its members. Lee Gyujong, president of the Yeosun Incident Bereaved Families Association, and Park Sojung, chairman of the National Coalition for the Enactment of the Yeosun Incident Special Act, also participated.

Regarding the Yeosun Incident, which marks its 73rd anniversary this year, bills addressing fact-finding investigations and compensation issues have been proposed four times up to the 20th National Assembly but have repeatedly failed to pass. The bill proposed in the 21st National Assembly has undergone procedures such as a public hearing held last December, drawing attention to whether it will be passed.

Lee Nakyeon, the party leader, also has a strong will to enact the Yeosun Incident Special Act, so the bill's promotion is expected to gain more momentum. Leader Lee mentioned the related issue at the Supreme Council meeting on the 10th and visited Suncheon the next day (the 11th) to pay respects at the Memorial Tower and engage in discussions with the bereaved families for the passage of the special law.

This delivery ceremony was held to urge the swift passage of the special law. Representative So stated, "There are a total of 721 bereaved family members who signed the petition. This means that there are not many bereaved family members left." He added, "Since the party leader has mentioned twice the passage of the special law in February, we will do our best to ensure the special law passes in the February National Assembly session." Chair Seo, who received the petition, responded, "We will investigate the pain and suffering endured, provide healing, express our apologies to offer consolation, and illuminate the future for descendants."

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