South Korea Abolishes Time Limit for Compensation Claims Over Psychological Harm from Gwangju Democracy Movement

People connected to South Korea's Gwangju Democracy Movement will be able to seek compensation from the state for psychological harm without a time limit. The Cabinet approved the amendment at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on the 8th.

Under the previous law, accepting state compensation was treated as a judicial settlement that prevented a separate lawsuit for psychological damage. The Constitutional Court ruled in May 2021 that blocking state-liability claims for psychological harm remained unconstitutional even when compensation had been received.

That ruling allowed individuals to sue the state, but a three-year limitation period could still end claims if plaintiffs did not act within three years of learning of the damage and the perpetrator. The issue became particularly pressing after a 2021 amendment added survivors of sexual violence, people who had been wanted, detained or arrested, and people disciplined by schools to the list eligible for review by the Gwangju compensation committee.

A bill sponsored by Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Bu-nam passed the National Assembly last month with 165 votes in favor, eight against and 12 abstentions among 185 lawmakers present. Several People Power Party lawmakers also supported it, while lawmaker Lee Jin-sook drew controversy by remaining seated in the chamber but not taking part in the vote.

The Cabinet also approved an amendment extending the operating period of the special commission investigating the October 29 Itaewon disaster by one year, through September 16 next year. The commission's mandate covers victims' rights, establishing the truth and preventing a recurrence.