Starting next year Korea will introduce a new set of measures that will benefit national
independence fighters and their families.
The move is in tune with President Moon's plan to ensure due respect is paid to those
who put their lives on the line for the nation... by expanding government support.
Kim Mok-yeon outlines the changes to provide true Korean heroes what they deserve.
95 year old Cho Young-jin is a patriot who has played his part in Korea's history.
During the time when Korea was colonized by Japan, he was a student who dreamt of independence.
(KOREAN) "I was born in Korea and I am Korean, but
they didn't allow me to speak in Korean.
So from a young age, I thought something was not right."
In order to help the nation, he participated in a secret students' organization to develop
his skills by reading and participating in debates.
But, he was later imprisoned by Japanese officials for violating the Public Order Act.
After he was released from prison, Cho and his family went through a very difficult time
as they were targeted by the Japanese occupiers until Korea declared independence.
(KOREAN) "I didn't fight for independence because I
wanted something in return.
I fought because my family and our descendants had a very difficult life being persecuted
by Japanese troops."
As of today, out of more than 15,000 independence fighters, only 55 of them, including Cho,
are alive both within and outside of the country.
To show gratitude for their courage and contribution to Korea's independence movement, President
Moon Jae-in announced his plans to expand government support for independence fighters
and their families.
(KOREAN) - "The notion that up to three generations who
fought for our independence might have to live poorly should come to an end.
We will support up to the grandchildren of the independence fighters, and change that
notion."
( 3 . 3 3 .)
He made the remarks on August 15, as he laid out the Moon administration's new policies
to better serve the national patriots.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said that it will invest nearly 44 million
U.S. dollars next year to provide financial and welfare support to the children and grandchildren
of the independence fighters.
(KOREAN) "The new administration will look closely
at the living conditions of the family members of the independence fighters and we'll provide
financial support to all the children and grandchildren who need it."
This is a change from the current policy, under which the government supports only one
representative of each independence fighter's family, and that benefit only goes down to
the patriot's grandchildren.
(KOREAN) "In my case, I have five other siblings, but
only I received support from the government.
We had some trouble deciding who would get the benefits because other family members
could think it was unfair."
Following the announcement, the surviving independence fighters and their families expressed
gratitude to the government for acknowledging their past sacrifices.
(KOREAN) "We are very touched and grateful to President
Moon for keeping a close eye on the families and helping them.
We are looking forward to the new policy."
However, another problem still remains.
Since more than 100 years have passed since the independence movement began, many of the
independence fighters' grandchildren are very old and some have died already.
And because of the government's policy extends only up to the third generation, many descendants
are not able to receive any compensation.
But, as of the moment, the government says they have no detailed plans yet to solve this
problem.
(KOREAN) "What we want is for them to hear our voices.
We're not asking them to carry out all our demands, but to listen to different opinions
and come up with a reasonable solution."
[STAND UP] ed: Devin "Hopes are high for President Moon's policies
on government support for independence fighters and their families.
It seems Koreans feel now is the time to show them respect... by paying more attention to
their livelihoods... and communicating with them... to find practical ways to help."
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.