Yugahyeop Holds 40th Anniversary Ceremony at Democracy Movement Memorial Hall

On August 12, 1986, the National Ethnic Democratic Bereaved Families Association (Yugahyeop), formed by the families of individuals who were sacrificed or died under suspicious circumstances due to state violence during movements for independence, democracy, peace, and reunification, marks its 40th anniversary.

On the 5th, a luncheon commemorating the 40th anniversary of the National Ethnic Democratic Bereaved Families Association was held at the Blue House, hosted by President Jae-myung Lee. Photo by Yonhap News Agency Blue House Press Photographers Team

Yugahyeop will hold a commemorative ceremony and exhibition for its 40th anniversary at 7:00 PM today in the front yard of the Namyeong-dong Memorial Hall for Democratization Movements in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Since its establishment, Yugahyeop has actively worked for the restoration of honor for democratization movement participants and victims, having led legislation such as the Act on Restoration of Honor and Compensation for Persons Related to the Democratization Movement and the Special Act on the Investigation of Suspicious Deaths.

The event will reflect on Yugahyeop’s activities over the past 40 years and will also feature a commemorative exhibition to remember those who were sacrificed by state violence and during the process of democratization.

Until recently, Yugahyeop has continued to demand the enactment of the Act on the Honoring of Merit for Democracy Activists, staging protest tents and solo demonstrations. The Act had passed the plenary session of the 21st National Assembly, but was discarded following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s exercise of the right to request reconsideration. The bill has been reintroduced in the 22nd National Assembly and is currently under deliberation.

The Progressive Party released a statement commemorating Yugahyeop's 40 years of activism and called for the swift enactment of the Act on the Honoring of Merit for Democracy Activists. Rho Hyeryeong, spokesperson for the Progressive Party, stated, "We will do our utmost to enact the Act on the Honoring of Merit for Democracy Activists, so that those who dedicated themselves to independence, democracy, peace, and reunification can receive full national recognition."

Previously, on August 5, President Jae-myung Lee invited Yugahyeop members to the Blue House to offer his condolences and gratitude.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.