When the Democratic Party was criticized as ‘self-preferential treatment’ in relation to the re-promotion of the People of Democracy Act, he countered that it was a “distortion of facts.” The Democratic Party actively opposed the ‘self-compensation’ frame, but left the possibility of amending some bills through an agreement with the ruling party.
Woo Sang-ho, chairman of the emergency countermeasures committee, who served as president of Yonsei University’s student body, and a former student activist, met with reporters at the National Assembly on the 21st and said, “Woo Sang-ho has absolutely no intention of receiving compensation.” Chairman Woo said, “I am not saying that I will give benefits to all those who fought for the democratization movement,” he said. The main focus of the Act on People of Merit for Democracy is to designate past democratization movement participants as people of national merit and provide a wide range of support, such as education, employment, medical care, and loans, to their spouses and children. It was proposed twice only in the 21st National Assembly, but the special admission for college admissions and the 10% additional point for public officials’ appointments became a problem, leading to criticism that it was ‘self-preferential exercise for the right to exercise’ and ran aground.
Chairman Woo said, “Giving benefits to immediate family members seems to have become a problem, but more than 80% of those who died while not married while in college were saying, “With the idea of honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the process of democratization, ‘activists are self-compensating. Isn’t it a bit harsh to approach it by saying, ‘I’m trying to get it’.”
In the morning of the same day, Chairman Woo visited the farmhouse for the bereaved families of democratic meritorious people in front of the National Assembly and promised to enact related laws. Immediately following the visit, he told reporters, “If it is to deal with the people’s power and consensus, I am willing to revise (the bill),” he said. It will be modified as long as it does not damage the large framework for
Reporter Eunji Kim [email protected]
