'Memory Becomes History, History Becomes Future': Victims' Association Marks 40th Anniversary

The National Association of Families of Victims of State Violence (Yugahyeop) is marking its 40th anniversary with a special ceremony to honor the sacrifices of those who died or disappeared due to state-sponsored violence. The event, themed '40 Years Protecting Democracy, Memory Becomes History, History Becomes Future,' will be held on August 12th at the Democracy Movement Memorial Hall in Seoul.

Yugahyeop was established on August 12, 1986, during a period of intense state repression and suspicious deaths under the Chun Doo-hwan regime. The late Lee So-sun, mother of labor activist Jeon Tae-il, served as its first president. Since its inception, the organization has been a driving force behind significant legislative changes aimed at acknowledging and rectifying past injustices.

Through persistent advocacy, Yugahyeop was instrumental in the passage of the Act on the Honor Restoration and Compensation of Persons Involved in the Democratization Movement and the Special Act on the Investigation of Suspicious Deaths. More recently, since 2021, the association has been campaigning for the enactment of the Act on the Respect and Commemoration of Democratic Patriots and Victims of State Violence.

President Lee Jae-myung met with Yugahyeop members at the Blue House on August 5th, offering words of comfort and expressing gratitude for their enduring efforts. The anniversary ceremony aims not only to commemorate the martyrs and reflect on the journey of the bereaved families but also to reaffirm the values of democracy for the future.

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40 Years Protecting Democracy, Memory Becomes History, History Becomes Future