GOYANG — A Gyeonggi provincial council member has called on the provincial government to hold an integrated memorial ceremony for civilian victims of the 1950-53 Korean War and to restore funding for a care program for emotional labor workers.
Lee Sung-han of the Democratic Party, who represents Goyang 8 and sits on the council's Public Administration and Security Committee, made the demands on the 8th during questioning at the 393rd extraordinary session of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, stressing the importance of memorial projects and records management in fostering historical awareness.
Citing historian E.H. Carr's "What Is History?," Lee said, "As the saying goes that history is an unending dialogue between the past and the present, the essential reason we learn and understand history is to inherit and develop the spirit and achievements of our nation and people, and to never repeat catastrophic tragedy and misfortune."
Lee then criticized the reduction in the memorial project budget. "Scaling back or cutting the budget for memorial projects that honor the souls of civilians who were unjustly sacrificed and comfort the pain of bereaved families is nothing more than administrative expediency and passive administration aimed at avoiding responsibility," Lee said. The council member called on the provincial government to draw up a plan for a province-level integrated memorial ceremony as soon as possible and report it to the council.
Lee also described the Gyeonggi Archives as "core infrastructure for establishing the identity of a thousand-year Gyeonggi Province and passing on the complete history of the province to future generations," urging the executive branch to complete the project without setbacks.
Lee further pointed to the recent cut in operating funds for a care program for emotional labor workers. "Even if it is a small budget, it is essential funding that serves as a minimum shield and place of rest for the counselors at the 120 call center, who suffer from malicious complaints and excessive job stress," Lee said.
"Wiping away the tears of marginalized and suffering workers is a basic duty of provincial administration," Lee said, repeatedly calling for the budget to be restored and expanded.
