"I Just Did What I Was Supposed to Do"

2nd floor of Kwangjoo City Inkwang Dementia Hospital yesterday morning.

The 23rd anniversary of the May 18th Kwangjoo Democracy Movement was just two days away. But one of the heroes of the movement, attorney Hong Nam-soon was sitting on a wheelchair, looking ahead without focus.

Hong lost consciousness in November of 2001 in a cerebral hemorrhage. He has not come back until now, unable to recognize who is who and recall his past. Looking at the old democracy activist, everyone feels sorry.

What really moves us more is his refusal to accept the government compensations for the injury he received during the Democracy Movement.

Since 1990, the government has compensated 4,312 people across the nation over four occasions. But he has never filed a claim with the government to receive the compensation.

"When we talked about the compensation, my father got angry and would not let us talk about it. He used to say, `I just did what I was supposed to do. What`s the point in receiving the compensation?`"

Hong`s youngest son, Young-wook, "Friends and family members suggested he should receive the money, since now everyone knows he did the right thing. But, my father always got angry at the suggestion, saying, `I am an attorney. That`s enough for me. Why should I receive more?`"

His second daughter Kwongsook said, "In 1998, city officials visited my father and urged him to file a claim. But my father turned down the offer and told them to give the money to the disadvantaged in our society. He also worried that his taking the compensation might disgrace others who received it."

"I have known him for more than thirty years. He is a man of principle. But he cares a lot about others," said Chung Kwang-jin, who worked with Hong as legal assistant since 1968.

During the military regime of Park Jung-hee, he defended numerous political prisoners from early 1970s. When the military were about to start its operation against the civilians in Kwangjoo in May of 1980, he organized a committee and sat down with the commander for negotiation.

When the negotiation got stalled over disarmament of the civilian militia, he headed straight for Seoul to meet President and various politicians. He, however, was arrested on his way.

Then, he was sent to a military camp and underwent a severe torture for 69 days.

He was falsely accused and a court martial sentenced him to life in prison in October of 1980. Then, his sentence was commuted to 15 years in prison, and finally got released from prison in December of 1981.

Since he had not amassed any wealth, his family had to suffer from a severe poverty until his license was reinstated.

Commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Democracy Movement, various events will take place on May 18th in Kwangjoo.

At 11:00 a.m., for example, about 1,000 luminaries including President Roh and Justice Minister will visit Kwangjoo to commemorate the historic event.

goqud@donga.com shjung@donga.com