By Kim Bo-eun
The government decided Tuesday to accept a court recommendation to drop a 3.4 billion won ($31 million) suit filed against Jeju residents for obstructing the construction of a naval base there. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.
Last month, Seoul Central District Court delivered a proposal to the government, recommending “the plaintiff drop all civil or criminal suits against the defendant and make an effort for reconciliation.”
“The court’s proposal was accepted in order to respect the neutral stance of the judicial branch and the fact that withdrawing the suit was an election pledge by President Moon Jae-in,” the government was cited as saying by the defense ministry.
The naval base has been in operation since February 2016, and construction of a cruise terminal is set to be completed in February 2018. Given this, cooperation with local residents is necessary for the operation of the civil and military ports, the ministry added.
The government also considered that if the suit lasted, it would aggravate the conflict between the parties which would increase social expenses.
Under the Park Geun-hye administration, the Navy filed an indemnity suit against 116 residents and five civic groups in March 2016, stating that protests against the construction of the naval base had obstructed it and caused losses.
The amount was part of 2.75 billion won in government compensation the navy gave to construction firms for losses they incurred due to delays in construction.
President Moon pledged during his candidacy to have the government withdraw the suit and pardon those subject to judicial action.
The Moon administration had been holding negotiations with the defendants to end the suit since it was inaugurated.
In October 2016, 165 lawmakers adopted a resolution calling for the government to drop its indemnity suit. In June this year, the Jeju governor and 87 local communities submitted a proposal for the suit to be withdrawn.
The ending of the suit will be finished if the defendants agree with the move.
The plaintiff and defendant are required by law to reach a decision on accepting the court’s recommendation within two weeks.
Criticism has been raised, however, that the government accepting the recommendation is pardoning protesters who took part in illegal demonstrations.
In addition, dropping the suit means it will not be able to collect the 3.45 billion won in losses incurred from the protests _ a loss for the state coffers.
“Dropping the indemnity suit against the Jeju residents will be to accept the fact that illegal protests caused losses to state coffers,” Liberty Korea Party spokesman Choung Tae-ok said.