Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, noted that he would pursue again the 'State Crime Statute of Limitations Exclusion Act,' which Vice Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok exercised the right to request reconsideration (veto) during the presidential acting period.
After completing the '77th anniversary memorial ceremony for the victims of the April 3 Incident' held in Jeju City at the April 3 Peace Park on the morning of the 3rd, Lee stated to reporters, 'The exclusion of the statute of limitations for state violent crimes is absolutely necessary,' and added, 'I and the Democratic Party will re-vote on the law regarding the exclusion of the statute of limitations for state violent crimes that was vetoed by the presidential acting authority.'
Lee said, 'The April 3 Incident in Jeju was the first martial law of the Republic of Korea, and nearly 30,000 people, equivalent to one-tenth of the residents of Jeju Island, were killed unjustly by gun violence,' and stated, 'Such state violence can never be forgiven in any case.'
He added, 'Because responsibilities have not been perfectly accounted for regarding this, absurdities dreaming of military rule under martial law have occurred again today,' and mentioned, 'The 12.3 coup plan aimed to massacre between 5,000 to 10,000 citizens.'
Lee emphasized, 'In order to prevent such occurrences from happening again while he (President Yoon Suk-yeol) is alive, a bill that imposes criminal penalties for state violent crimes is necessary,' and stated, 'If the State Crime Statute of Limitations Exclusion Act is vetoed by the opposition party, the People Power Party, I will ensure it is proposed again and passed afterwards.'
The National Assembly passed the 'Special Act on the Exclusion of Statute of Limitations for Anti-Human Rights State Crimes (State Crime Statute of Limitations Exclusion Act)', which was promoted by the Democratic Party as a party policy, in the plenary session last December. This bill includes provisions to exclude the statute of limitations for acts causing harm or death to others through assault or cruel actions by public officials or military commanders responsible for personal detention.
However, at that time, Vice Prime Minister Choi, who was acting as president, exercised the veto on the State Crime Statute of Limitations Exclusion Act. He explained, 'There is a concern that public officials who performed their duties lawfully, as well as their bereaved families, may be exposed indefinitely to civil lawsuits and criminal accusations.'