May 18th group urges withdrawal of amendment to May 18th-related laws proposed by People Power Party lawmaker

(Gwangju, South Jeolla Province = Yonhap News) Reporter Min Hyun-ki = The three May 18 organizations (Bereaved Families Association, Injured Persons Association, and Meritorious Persons Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation urged on the 6th, "The three amendments to the May 18 related laws proposed by People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook and others must be immediately withdrawn."

The organizations issued a statement on this day and pointed out, "The amendment limits the scope of the May 18th Democratization Movement to 'Gwangju-related areas' and mandates the disclosure of the names of those who have made meritorious contributions, their bereaved families, and those eligible for compensation," and pointed out, "It may reduce the historical significance of May 18th and expose the parties to secondary damage."

He continued, "It also included the transfer of the Compensation Deliberation Committee from Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special City to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs," and raised concerns, "It is an approach that views the parties as objects of suspicion without explaining what serious problems there were in the existing system."

On the 1st, Rep. Lee submitted three amendments to the May 18 Special Act, the Meritorious Persons Act, and the Compensation Act to the National Assembly along with 10 People Power Party members, including Reps. Na Kyung-won and Kim Tae-gyu.