Kwon Hyangyup Proposes Amendment to Orders and Decorations Act for Revocation of Honors Awarded to Perpetrators of State Violence

Hyangyup Kwon, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Suncheon-Gwangyang-Gokseong-Gurye in South Jeolla Province), announced on April 23 that she has sponsored a partial amendment to the Orders and Decorations Act, which would establish grounds for revoking honors awarded to perpetrators of past state violence.

Under the current law, decorations or medals are awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Republic of Korea. However, if such contributions are later proven to be false, or if the recipient is convicted of crimes against national security and sentenced to death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for one year or longer, the honor is to be revoked and any associated items or monetary rewards are to be reclaimed.

Hyungyeop Kwon, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

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Nonetheless, there have been ongoing criticisms regarding the appropriateness of the current standards for revoking honors, as some perpetrators involved in past state violence-such as those implicated in the Yeo-Sun 10·19 Incident-still retain their state honors. In particular, growing calls for reform have arisen from the fact that many of the honors awarded to Lee Geun-an, the so-called "torture technician" of the Namsan Police Agency, remain intact even after his death.

To address this, the proposed amendment stipulates that honors can also be revoked from perpetrators of state violence, including those involved in civilian mass sacrifice cases as defined by the Framework Act on Clearing Up Past Incidents for Truth and Reconciliation.

Kwon emphasized, "Allowing honors to be retained by perpetrators of state violence undermines the fairness and integrity of the honors system. We must establish clear criteria for revocation to help restore the honor of victims of state violence."

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