In Response to the Death of the Wife of a Cheonan Ship Fallen Soldier... President Moon Says "Revision of the Bereaved Family Compensation Act"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in has instructed to promptly pursue revisions to raise the age for receiving bereavement compensation to 24 years old, following the death of the spouse of the late Sergeant Jeong Jong-yul, who died in the Cheonan naval ship incident.

According to the Blue House, on the 23rd, President Moon gave this directive during a staff meeting.

Compensation was paid to the high school freshman child left alone after the death of Sergeant Jeong’s spouse, Jeong Gyeong-ok, who passed away after battling cancer. However, under current law, this compensation is only provided until the minor child reaches 19 years old (18 years old internationally), after which it is paid to the grandparents once the child becomes an adult.

In response, President Moon said, "Promptly revise the law to raise the age for receiving compensation to 24 years old and swiftly implement institutional improvements," adding, "Even before the law is amended, seek the maximum possible government support such as school tuition, learning assistance, and employment support."

Additionally, regarding the support of a recovery support vehicle for firefighters at the Daejeon Fire Headquarters, President Moon praised, "While it is preferable to establish a separate stable rest area, the mobile recovery support vehicle is also a good solution, and appropriate measures were taken at the necessary time."

The recovery support vehicle is a specially modified fire truck equipped inside a large bus to provide rest, meals, and oxygen supply.

President Moon stated, "I hope such cases will spread in the future," and added, "It is necessary to provide maximum support for available resources such as firefighters and police riot squads, as long as it does not interfere with their core duties."

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