Seoul: The government has officially resumed the awarding of state honors to pro-democracy martyrs and activists after a suspension lasting four years. This pause in recognition began under the administration of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2022.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this year, twenty-eight individuals and three organizations have been selected to receive these honors. Among the recipients is the late Choi Jong-gil, a professor from Seoul National University who was tortured to death in 1973 while under investigation by the state intelligence agency for his protests against the authoritarian Yushin regime led by President Park Chung-hee.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, speaking at a ceremony commemorating the 1987 nationwide democracy uprising, emphasized the significance of resuming these awards. He stated, "Today, we are resuming government awards for the development of democracy, which had been suspended for four years since 2022. This is an expression of our will to remember the noble sacrifice made for the country until the end."

The 1987 democracy uprising, which began on June 10, culminated in the government of then-authoritarian President Chun Doo-hwan conceding to the demand for a direct presidential election system by June 29. This moment is widely regarded as a pivotal point in the establishment of South Korea's democratic system.

Kim praised the 1987 uprising as "a great milestone for South Korea's democracy and a valuable victory for the people," underscoring the ongoing importance of the democratic values established during that time. "Shouts of that day 39 years ago have not ended yet," Kim remarked, highlighting that democracy remains a fundamental right and the Republic of Korea's most cherished asset that requires vigilant protection.