War veteran's family get belated compensation

By Lee Kyung-min

The family of a deceased war veteran is to gain long overdue honor and respect, as well as financial compensation from the government.

Seoul Central District Court ruled Wednesday that the government should pay 42 million won ($40,000) to the son of a Korean War veteran for the 14 year delay in information about his death.

The late veteran surnamed Ko fought in the Korean War (1950-1953), and was reported as missing.

In 1998, the government recognized him as a Man of National Merit, but Ko’s family was not informed until 14 years later, in August 2012.

His son sued the government on Feb. 5 asking for the compensation for the benefits that they could have received such as medical insurance and money.

The court ruled in favor of Ko, saying that the government is responsible for not having informed the family in a timely manner.

“For more than a decade, Ko’s family has been denied the honor and respect they long deserved. Also, they were denied benefits as the family of a Man of National Merit. The government was negligent in its duty by not informing the family,” the judge said in its ruling.

Ko’s suit was valid since the statute of limitations, which is five years for compensation suits, has not expired.

He was informed in 2012 and he filed suit in February this year. According to the law, the plaintiff can receive a maximum of five-year period compensation retroactively from the day the suit was filed.