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Nine Years Later, Jecheon Fire Victims' Families to Receive Compensation

From Hankyoreh · (7m ago) Korean Mixed tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Victims' families of the 2017 Jecheon fire disaster will receive compensation nine years after the tragedy.
  • The Jecheon City Council passed an ordinance and allocated a budget for the compensation, with payments expected in May.
  • While families express gratitude, they also lament the long delay and the exclusion of the injured from the compensation plan.

Nine years is a long time to wait for justice and solace, but for the families of the 29 victims of the tragic 2017 Jecheon fire, compensation is finally within reach. The Hankyoreh has consistently followed this story, highlighting the prolonged suffering of the bereaved and the bureaucratic hurdles that have delayed this much-needed relief.

We can only express our gratitude, but also our regret. The past nine years have been incredibly difficult for the families.

— Ryu Geon-deokThe joint representative of the Jecheon fire victims' families expresses mixed emotions about the delayed compensation, highlighting the hardship endured over the past nine years.

The Jecheon City Council's recent passage of an ordinance and allocation of funds marks a significant step forward. This legislative action, supported by a broad consensus among council members, paves the way for payments to begin as early as May. It is a testament to the persistent advocacy of the victims' families and a recognition of the city's responsibility.

However, as our reporting reveals, this long-awaited compensation is not without its complexities. While the families express a 'grateful yet regretful' sentiment, the nine-year wait has taken a severe toll. Many survivors have struggled to rebuild their lives, juggling daily labor with ongoing medical treatment. The exclusion of the injured from this compensation package also remains a significant point of regret and a call for future action.

It is very regrettable that the injured are excluded from the compensation recipients. We hope that discussions on this matter will resume with a new mayor and city council.

— Ryu Geon-deokRyu Geon-deok voices disappointment that those injured in the fire are not included in the current compensation plan and expresses hope for future reconsideration.

This case has been fraught with difficulties, including past failed agreements and legal battles. The journey from tragedy to this point of partial resolution has been arduous. As we report, the hope now is that this compensation will provide some measure of closure, while also opening the door for further discussions regarding the injured and ensuring that such delays are not repeated in future tragedies. The memory of the Jecheon fire serves as a somber reminder of the importance of swift and comprehensive support for disaster victims.

Compensation will be paid within May if there are no separate objections from the Compensation Review Committee.

— Choi Seung-hwanThe acting mayor of Jecheon provides an update on the timeline for the compensation payments, pending the committee's review.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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