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A ceremony is being held for the construction of the Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap News)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced Thursday that work had officially begun on converting a building in Seoul’s Namyeong neighborhood once used to interrogate and torture those accused of being North Korean spies into the Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall. The announcement came on the anniversary of the June Democratic Struggle of 1987.

“Today, we have begun construction on the historic Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall on the site of the anti-communist interrogation office in Seoul’s Namyeong neighborhood. That’s where 22-year-old Park Jong-chul died while being tortured in January 1987,” Moon said in a message on social media on Thursday.

“We will erect a pillar to democracy and human rights on the site of the interrogation building and ensure that ‘violence by the state’ never returns to this country,” Moon said.

“We must never forget that the democracy that we enjoy today was made possible by many people’s sacrifice.”

A room in the former anti-communist interrogation office in Seoul dedicated to Park Jong-chul, a university student who died while being tortured in 1987, is pictured. (Yonhap News)

Last year, Moon personally attended the memorial ceremony for the June Democratic Struggle, which was held at the former interrogation building. But this year, he posted a message to social media instead of attending.

“Medals for democracy will be simultaneously presented today at the memorial ceremony and at various local governments and overseas missions. Since last year, the government has been identifying and rewarding people who helped bring democracy to our country. We’ve expanded our regular award program in order to honor more people’s contributions,” Moon said.

Moon wrapped up his social media message by saying, “The spirit of the June Democratic Struggle is a precious possession that should be passed down to future generations.”

By Lee Wan, staff reporter

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