If Jeon Du-hwan Passes Away, a 'State Funeral'?..."When Will the State Funeral Amendment Be Processed?"

Assemblyman Jo O-seop, Proposed Amendment Last Year
Added Restrictions on National Funeral Recipients

Jeon Du-hwan, who was tried on charges of criticizing the late Father Cho Bi-o, who testified about the helicopter shooting by martial law troops during the May 18 Democratic Uprising, is leaving the Gwangju District Court on August 9 after completing the appellate trial examination to go home. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Amid calls to exclude Jeon Du-hwan from the 'state funeral' designated for former and incumbent presidents, Jo Oh-seop, a member of the Democratic Party representing Gwangju Buk-gu Gap, urged the swift passage of the 'Jeon Du-hwan State Funeral Exclusion Act.'

On the 30th, Jo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "To historically condemn former President Jeon Du-hwan, responsible for the Gwangju massacre, the 'Jeon Du-hwan State Funeral Exclusion Act' must be promptly enacted," adding, "The 21st National Assembly has the responsibility not to leave a stain in history by allowing a state funeral without an apology and sincere repentance from former President Jeon Du-hwan, who is enjoying a long life at the age of 90."

Earlier, on June 4th last year, Jo introduced the 'Partial Amendment to the State Funeral Act (Jeon Du-hwan State Funeral Exclusion Act)' as the first bill, but the Public Administration and Security Committee, after collectively referring this bill along with others to the bill subcommittee at the plenary meeting on September 10th last year, has not addressed it since.

Jo criticized, "We cannot allow Jeon Du-hwan, a usurper, massacre perpetrator, and criminal, to enjoy the honor of a state funeral funded by tens of billions of won of taxpayers' money just because he was a former president," and added, "If Jeon Du-hwan's funeral is held as a state funeral posthumously, it would only serve as an excuse when we explain the democracy and justice of the Republic of Korea to future generations."

He further urged, "In the name of democracy and the people, I call for the swift passage of the 'Jeon Du-hwan State Funeral Exclusion Act,' a historical condemnation of military dictatorship."

State funeral of the late former President Kim Young-sam. Not related to the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

A state funeral is "a funeral conducted by the state for national unity when a person who has made remarkable contributions to the nation or society and is revered by all citizens passes away."

The State Funeral Act defines the subjects as △former and incumbent presidents △president-elects △persons who have made remarkable contributions to the nation or society and are revered by the people, but it only includes provisions regarding 'state funeral subjects' and lacks regulations on cases where the honor is restricted.

The amendment proposed by Jo adds a restriction clause, similar to the application of Article 79 of the 'Act on the Honorable Treatment and Support of Persons of Distinguished Service to the State,' stipulating that those who have committed crimes cannot be eligible for a state funeral.

Meanwhile, Jeon is currently undergoing an appeal trial after being sentenced in the first trial to eight months in prison with a two-year probation for defamation against the late Father Jo Bi-o, who testified in his memoirs that he witnessed helicopter shootings during the May 18 Gwangju Uprising.

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