Lee vows no time limits for state violence crimes

Mar 30, 2026, 10:02 am

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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a luncheon with bereaved families of the Jeju April 3 victims at a hotel in Jeju City on March 29. / Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung said on March 29 that his administration will push to eliminate the statute of limitations for crimes of state violence and establish legal grounds to revoke national honors related to the Jeju April 3 Incident.

Speaking at a luncheon meeting with bereaved families in Jeju, Lee emphasized that crimes committed by state power against civilians should remain prosecutable regardless of time.

“Civilian sacrifices caused by state authority must be held accountable even after time has passed,” he said, adding that criminal responsibility should apply while perpetrators are alive, and civil liability should extend to inherited assets after death.

Lee described the Jeju April 3 Incident as “a history that must never be forgotten,” noting that nearly 10% of Jeju’s population was affected by state violence amid ideological conflict.

“The most important duty of the president is to ensure that the state never again commits violence against its own people,” he added.

The president also pledged to reintroduce legislation eliminating the statute of limitations for state violence crimes. He noted that a previous attempt to abolish civil statutes of limitations was nullified after a presidential veto.

Lee said the government aims to establish a system that ensures permanent accountability, similar to the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.

In addition, he announced plans to improve systems related to historical justice, including creating legal grounds to revoke honors that have caused harm to victims and their families.

The government will also expand support for victims and their families by extending reporting and compensation application periods, continuing identity verification efforts, and preparing legal support measures for victims’ groups.

Plans are also underway to build an archive center to preserve records related to the Jeju April 3 Incident, as part of broader efforts to address historical injustices and prevent distortion or disparagement of the event.

#Lee Jae-myung #Jeju April 3 #state violence #statute of limitations #national honors cancellation