Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol Welcomes Decision on Yeosun Incident Victims and Bereaved Families

Yeosun Incident Committee Decides on Additional 110 Victims and 692 Bereaved Families

Challenges Remain for Complete Resolution Including Enforcement Decree Revision to Extend Reporting Period

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Democratic Party lawmaker So Byeong-cheol (Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, Gurye (Gap)) on the 29th sincerely welcomed the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Committee (hereinafter ‘the Committee’) for deciding the victims and bereaved families of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident for the second time this year under the 「Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Special Act」.

The Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Committee, following its decision on October 6 to designate 45 victims and 219 bereaved families, held a meeting today (29th) in writing and promptly decided on 110 victims and 692 bereaved families, bringing the total number of designated victims to 155 and bereaved families to 906 so far.

Lawmaker So Byeong-cheol emphasized, “With the enforcement of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Special Act this year, the investigation, victim and bereaved family registration, and victim screening have been conducted simultaneously, resulting in a heavy workload, but I welcome the meaningful achievement of deciding the victims and bereaved families.”

He added, “I earnestly hope that even a small measure of comfort can be conveyed to the pain and sorrow of the victims and bereaved families who have endured day by day with deep-seated resentment.”

Meanwhile, as the reporting period for the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident is limited until January 20, 2023, he also proposed solutions in response to voices pointing out this issue.

Lawmaker So said, “According to current laws, with less than a month left for the investigation and victim and bereaved family registration period, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the competent authority, is striving to take necessary measures such as revising enforcement ordinances,” and emphasized, “The Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Committee, a government agency responsible for investigating the incident and restoring the honor of victims and bereaved families, must cooperate with bereaved family associations, civic groups, and political circles to resolve the issue.”

Furthermore, Lawmaker So stated, “On December 8, I introduced a bill as the main proposer to establish provisions for the state’s proper compensation obligations for the victims and bereaved families of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident and to allow the reporting period to be extended continuously by revising enforcement ordinances, rather than stipulating it in the law as with the Jeju 4.3 Act,” and said, “I expect the government to make proactive efforts in discussing the amendment so that not a single victim or bereaved family of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident is omitted and that they receive proper treatment from the state.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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