916 5·18 Merit Recipients File 94.3 Billion Won Lawsuit Against State Demanding Compensation for Mental Damages

On May 14 last year, citizens visiting the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are viewing the special exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, titled "If That May Day Comes Again." / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Over 900 individuals, including those recognized for their contributions to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, have filed a lawsuit against the state seeking approximately 94 billion KRW in damages. They argue that the compensation previously received under the existing May 18 Compensation Act only covered physical damages, and that they should also be compensated for mental damages.

According to the law firm LKB & Partners on the 26th, a total of 916 contributors and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratic Uprising filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court demanding compensation for mental damages amounting to approximately 94.3 billion KRW.

They emphasized, "We have suffered mental damages not only from death, injury, and illegal detention but also from ongoing surveillance and investigation by state agencies even after May 18. There has been no compensation for trauma, and we have endured negative social stigmatization. Some were expelled from universities or unable to find employment due to incarceration records, among other damages."

In May, the Constitutional Court ruled the May 18 Compensation Act unconstitutional, stating that the compensation previously paid did not include mental damages. Subsequently, the Supreme Court ruled that even those who received support under the May 18 Compensation Act can still claim damages against the state.

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