hankyoreh

Families of victims of a tragic incident from Korea's dictatorial past have decided to set up a memorial foundation to honor their loved ones' memories and struggle for democracy. The families were recently awarded total compensation of 63.7 billion won (US$68 million) from the government after the state executed eight pro-democracy activists three decades ago on fabricated treason charges.

The compensation was recently confirmed as the Ministry of Justice gave up its appeal to the Supreme Court to have the compensation blocked.

The Catholic Human Rights Committee said on September 14 that the families of the victims of the so-called "Inhyeokdang"(People’s Revolutionary Party) incident have decided to use 3 billion won of the compensation to set up a memorial foundation and funds to support social groups. Kim Deok-jin, an official at the committee, said, "We had wanted the bereaved families would use all of the compensation for their own purposes, but they have said, 'we want to do something meaningful.' "

The families asked the Catholic committee, which had helped them in their quest to bring the truth behind the Inhyeokdang case to light, to help set up the memorial foundation. Fr. Moon Jeong-hyun will head the foundation.

Lee Young-gyo, 70, the wife of Ha Jae-wan, one of the Inhyeokdang victims, said she was thankful the Justice Ministry gave up its appeal. "I want to use parts of the compensation to mark my husband's will for democracy," Lee said.

The families and the committee had originally expected the compensation to stand at some 20 billion won. At that time, they planned to use 2 billion won to set up the memorial foundation. However, as the compensation increased to 63.7 billion won because of interest owed them for the belated compensation, the committee has decided to spend 3 billion won build the foundation.