Assemblyman Jang Jaesung Urges Establishment of National Trauma Healing Center for State Violence

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Seon-gang] Jang Jae-seong, member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party, Seo-gu 1), urged the establishment of the National Trauma Healing Center for State Violence during a 5-minute free speech on the 19th.

In January 2019, during the feasibility study for the establishment of the trauma healing center by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Gwangju Metropolitan City's plan to provide the site of the former National Military Gwangju Hospital in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, was highly evaluated, leading to the attraction of the National Trauma Healing Center for State Violence.

However, related legislation for the establishment of the National Trauma Healing Center for State Violence has not yet passed the National Assembly, causing delays.

Councilor Jang Jae-seong stated, “Gwangju Metropolitan City should visit the National Assembly more actively and meet with members of the National Assembly's Administration and Security Committee as well as the floor leaders of both ruling and opposition parties to urge the swift passage of the bill.”

The delay in establishing the National Trauma Healing Center for State Violence has left the site abandoned and unsightly for a long time, not only harming the urban landscape but also affecting safety accidents and local crime occurrence.

Additionally, according to the “5·18 Democratic Merit Recipients’ Living Conditions and Aftereffects Survey Report” conducted by the 5·18 Memorial Foundation in 2006, the 5·18 merit recipients were confirmed to suffer from severe aftereffects due to chronic post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the shock of the incident.

Councilor Jang emphasized, “The National Trauma Healing Center for State Violence is urgently needed to heal the trauma of victims and their families who have suffered for decades due to state violence, including the May 18 Democratic Movement, as soon as possible.”

He added, “In the current situation where the establishment is delayed, I hope Gwangju Metropolitan City will carry out more proactive administration, and I sincerely hope that the healing center can be built by 2023 as originally planned through even greater efforts.”

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