Court Orders State Compensation for Victims of Illegal Detention at Samcheong Re-education Center

The Seoul Central District Court has ruled that the state must compensate victims who were unlawfully detained during the Samcheong Education program led by the new military faction. Presiding Judge Ahn Hyun-jin ruled on the 10th that the state must pay approximately 80 million won in solatium, among other damages, to Mr. A in a lawsuit regarding his illegal detention for 10 months in 1980.

According to the details of the detention acknowledged by the court, Mr. A was taken to the Seoul Northern Police Station around July 19, 1980, and was then housed in the Samcheong Re-education Center, where he underwent 'purification education' and performed forced labor. Subsequently, he received a one-year sentence for protective custody and was not released until May 29, 1981. The total period of detention was 315 days.

The court clarified the illegality of the detention. It stated that Mr. A was arrested and detained without a warrant due to the application and enforcement of martial law decrees that were clearly unconstitutional and invalid, thereby infringing upon his physical freedom and human dignity. Consequently, the court ruled that the state is liable to compensate for the damages caused by these illegal acts.

For property damages, the court recognized lost income of 1.0574 million won for the 315-day detention period, calculated based on the average monthly wage of ordinary laborers at the time. The solatium was set at approximately 80 million won. Mr. A had claimed over 150 million won, and the court acknowledged a portion of the amount.