[Asia Times=Reporter Park Si-ha] The government will establish a Commission of Light directly under the president to honor the dedication and spirit of citizens who defended the constitution and democracy during the Dec. 3 imposition of martial law.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said the Cabinet approved the regulations governing the Commission of Light at its meeting on the 10th.
The new commission is intended as an official recognition and honorific mechanism for citizens whose actions helped defend the constitution and democracy during the national crisis brought by martial law.
Its primary duties will include: setting the basic direction to consolidate and spread Korean-style civic participatory democracy (K-democracy) that defended the constitution; issuing and awarding \"Light\" certificates; and soliciting public input on designating a national memorial day related to the Light Revolution.
The government plans to define eligibility and award criteria through the committee’s deliberations. Applications will be accepted online via the government petition portal (Gukmin Sinmungo), by registered mail, and in person.
The commission will be composed of up to 35 members, centered on experts in constitutional law and democratic governance. Up to 10 government members — including the ministers of Economy and Finance; Science and ICT; Education; and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety — and up to 25 appointed experts in constitutional and democracy-related fields will participate. The minister of the interior will serve as secretary.
To ensure efficient operation, the government will also establish subcommittees, special committees, and an expert advisory panel.
The government plans to convene the commission’s first plenary session soon to review project plans and certificate-issuance criteria, finalize detailed standards, and announce them publicly.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said the commission’s creation follows findings by the Constitutional Court and other judicial rulings that citizens’ participation and resistance played a key role in lifting martial law and restoring constitutional order.
Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-joong said, \"By creating the Commission of Light, we can officially honor and recognize the people who resisted the Dec. 3 imposition of martial law. Through this committee, we will advance national unity and promote the values of K-democracy.\"
