The Special Act on the Yeosun Incident Passes the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee Plenary Session

Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol: "Unity of Jeonnam Eastern Region Lawmakers and the Patience of Bereaved Families Bear Fruit"
Taking the First Step Toward Restoring Honor for the Victims of the 73-Year-Old Yeosun Incident

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The “Special Act on the Investigation of the Truth and Restoration of Honor for the Victims of the Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident” (hereinafter referred to as the “Yeosun Incident Special Act”), which will resolve the 73-year-old deep-seated grievance of the residents of Jeollanam-do, was finally passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee (hereinafter, the PAS Committee) held on the 16th.

So Byeong-cheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye (Gap), who pledged the enactment of the “Yeosun Incident Special Act” as a campaign promise and introduced it as the first bill, attended the PAS Committee plenary session that day and witnessed the bill’s approval process firsthand. He expressed his thoughts, saying, “We have finally taken the first step toward investigating the truth of the Yeosun Incident, which has been awaited for over half a century, and restoring the honor of the victims and their bereaved families.”

So, who had devoted great effort persuading the ruling and opposition floor leaders until the bill was submitted to the PAS Committee, convinced the Democratic Party leadership to support the passage of the special law to have it placed on the PAS Committee plenary agenda, and earnestly requested PAS Committee Chairman Seo Young-kyo and DPK PAS Committee Secretary Park Jae-ho to ensure its passage.

He also maintained continuous communication with members of the People Power Party (PPP) for smooth consensus processing, and the day before the bill’s passage, he secured a response from Floor Leader Kim Ki-hyun, who said, “Although there are various circumstances within the party, we will agree to the passage of the ‘Yeosun Incident Special Act’ as a magnanimous consideration toward Honam.”

On March 3 and April 22, So stayed in the PAS subcommittee meeting room, where the “Yeosun Incident Special Act” was being reviewed, contacting and persuading members from both ruling and opposition parties until the special law discussions were concluded, listening attentively to the opinions of the PAS Committee members and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

In an unusual move, two rounds of detailed examination were conducted, and despite the difficulty in reaching an agreement, So, who attended all subcommittee meetings, persistently emphasized the necessity of enacting the special law through requests to speak and made progressive efforts to ensure its approval.

Even on the morning when the “Yeosun Incident Special Act” was scheduled to be submitted, various disagreements arose regarding the amendments approved by the PAS subcommittee, causing some difficulties.

During this process, So negotiated for a long time with Lee Myung-soo, the PPP subcommittee secretary, and succeeded in reaching an agreement to produce a new amended draft.

So emphasized, “The passage of this special law is the result of the united efforts of Jeonnam Eastern Region lawmakers, including Kim Seung-nam, Chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party, Kim Hoe-jae, Seo Dong-yong, and Joo Cheol-hyun, as well as the long patience of the victims and their bereaved families who have closely followed the National Assembly’s deliberations.”

Immediately after the “Yeosun Incident Special Act” passed the PAS Committee plenary session, So expressed his feelings, saying, “I am deeply moved that, after such a long 73 years, this may bring some comfort to the spirits of those who died unjustly in Suncheon and Yeosu and their families,” and pledged, “Since the ‘Yeosun Incident Special Act,’ which has been discussed since the 16th National Assembly, has passed the PAS Committee for the first time in history, I will devote all efforts to ensure its passage through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session.”

The main points of the amended “Yeosun Incident Special Act” that passed the PAS Committee plenary session this time are as follows: First, the incident’s occurrence area is defined as Yeosu and Suncheon, as well as Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces.

Second, the Truth Investigation and Victims’ Honor Restoration Committee is placed under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Jeollanam-do, and it is clearly stated that local government officials are included in its composition.

Third, the application period for truth investigation is stipulated by law and set within two years from the commencement date of the initial truth investigation.

Fourth, the recipients of medical support funds and living support funds are designated as victims.

Fifth, a fine of up to 10 million KRW is imposed on those who fail to comply with a summons without justifiable reason.

Sixth, support for foundation establishment is considered a follow-up measure after the truth investigation and has been deleted from the initial bill, in line with the Special Act on the Jeju 4.3 Incident.

Finally, So expressed special thanks to PAS Committee Chairman Seo Young-kyo, the ruling and opposition members of the PAS Committee, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for their hard work and cooperation in restoring the honor of the Yeosun Incident victims and comforting their families, emphasizing that “the passage of the ‘Yeosun Incident Special Act’ at the PAS Committee plenary session holds even greater significance as it was passed through bipartisan agreement.”

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