Jeonnam Province Welcomes National Assembly Standing Committee Approval of the 'Yeosun Special Act'

Communication with Political Circles and Government until Passage in the Plenary Session

Appearance of the Truth Investigation Team for the Yeosun Incident during job training. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On the 29th, Jeonnam Province expressed a "welcoming" stance regarding the deliberation and resolution of the "Amendment to the Special Act on the Investigation of the Truth and Restoration of Honor for the Victims of the Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident" at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee the previous day.

The amendment was jointly proposed by Representatives Kim Moon-soo, Joo Cheol-hyun, Yong Hye-in, and Kwon Hyang-yeop to address shortcomings in the current law.

Although the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Special Act was passed in June 2021, bereaved families and civic groups have consistently called for amendments during its implementation. The most urgent issue is the extension of the deadline for the truth investigation.

According to Jeonnam Province, 7,456 cases related to the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident have been reported so far, but only 1,884 cases, or 25.2%, have been finally confirmed as victims or bereaved families. The deadline for the truth investigation, including data collection and analysis, expired last month.

If the amendment passes the plenary session of the National Assembly, the deadline for investigating the truth of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident can be extended by up to two years, which is expected to enable a thorough investigation and determination of victims and bereaved families.

The amendment also includes provisions for a "special retrial" to restore the honor of victims affected by the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident and requires that committee members be recommended by the National Assembly when appointed.

Jeonnam Province has continuously communicated with politicians, the government, and bereaved families to advocate for the urgent amendment of the Special Act on the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, stated, "The amendment to the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident Special Act reflects the will of the majority of the people to empathize with the pain of the incident and to move toward healing and hope. We will actively strive for its passage through the remaining Legislative and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session of the National Assembly."

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