‘Yeosun Incident Special Act’ Passed at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee Plenary Meeting

Assemblyman So Byung-chul: "We Overcame 73 Years of Bitter Resentment and 20 Years of Parliamentary Barriers Together"

[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 years of deep-seated grievances of the residents of Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongnam beyond Suncheon and Yeosu, finally passed the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee (hereinafter, the Judiciary Committee) held on the 25th.

"We have finally overcome together the 73 years of deep-seated grievances and the 20 years of National Assembly barriers," said So Byung-chul, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, Gurye (Gap), Judiciary Committee), who made the enactment of the 「Yeosun Incident Special Act」 his first pledge and led the bill as the representative sponsor.

Since the "Yeosun Incident Special Act" passed the plenary session of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on the 16th, Representative So earnestly requested the Democratic Party leadership and Judiciary Committee members, including Whip Park Joo-min, saying, "If it is not passed within the June session, it may not be handled within the 21st National Assembly due to various political schedules and circumstances," emphasizing the necessity of passing it this time.

He also personally visited Yoon Han-hong, the People Power Party's Judiciary Committee whip, to appeal, and delivered personal letters to Judiciary Committee members of the People Power Party one by one, explaining and persuading them about the necessity of the 「Yeosun Incident Special Act」.

Right after the special act passed the plenary session of the Judiciary Committee, Representative So, with a trembling voice filled with emotion, said, "I couldn't sleep last night. Today, my heart is so full that it feels like it will burst," and expressed his gratitude, saying, "I would like to extend my indescribable thanks and respect to Chairman Lee Gyu-jong of the Bereaved Families Association, Park So-jung, head of the civic group, the Yeosun Incident Bereaved Families Association, lawmakers from the eastern region of Jeonnam, former leader Lee Nak-yeon, leader Song Young-gil, floor leader Yoon Ho-jung, Chairwoman Seo Young-kyo of the Public Administration and Security Committee, other committee members, and members of both ruling and opposition parties in the Judiciary Committee." He also expressed appreciation for the magnanimous decision of the People Power Party leadership and opposition lawmakers.

Furthermore, Representative So stated, "The fact that the Yeosun Incident Special Act passed the Judiciary Committee with unanimous agreement from both ruling and opposition parties following the Public Administration and Security Committee is very significant." He emphasized, "This decision we made today will be regarded as a meaningful achievement that created a united Korea beyond conflicts and ideologies in the future," and firmly declared, "I will thoroughly oversee the remaining step of passing the bill in the plenary session of the National Assembly without any gaps."

The "Yeosun Incident Special Act," which passed the plenary session of the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee, is expected to be submitted and approved at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 29th.

Once the special act is passed in the plenary session, it is scheduled to be enforced six months after its promulgation.

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