{"id":2206643,"date":"2024-10-01T14:46:14","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T05:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2206643"},"modified":"2024-10-02T16:54:25","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T07:54:25","slug":"south-koreas-cheonan-survivors-still-awaiting-mental-health-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/10\/south-koreas-cheonan-survivors-still-awaiting-mental-health-support\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s Cheonan survivors still awaiting mental health support"},"content":{"rendered":"
Fourteen years after the 2010 sinking of the ROKS Cheonan, survivors continue to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health issues. These struggles reveal a deeper problem: the inadequate support provided to South Korean veterans who experience trauma.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the high-profile nature of the incident, where a North Korean torpedo sank the corvette killing 46 sailors and leaving 58 survivors, little meaningful aid has been extended to those directly affected.<\/span><\/p>\n The National Assembly\u2019s defense committee passed a <\/span>bill<\/span><\/a> on Sept. 25 to provide long-overdue support to the survivors, addressing their medical, psychological and employment needs. The bill marks a critical step forward, but the years of neglect have left deep scars on those who served aboard the Cheonan.<\/span><\/p>\n LONG AWAITED LEGISLATION<\/b><\/p>\n The newly passed Special Act for Compensation and Support for ROKS Cheonan Survivors is designed to assist the 58 survivors and families of the deceased sailors.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the years leading up to this moment have been filled with frustration for the survivors as they dealt with severe mental health challenges and societal stigma that resulted from the politicization of the corvette\u2019s sinking.<\/span><\/p>\n Initially introduced by People Power Party lawmaker Koo Jakeun in June, the bill originally contained <\/span>provisions<\/span><\/a> to penalize those who deny or distort facts about the sinking. These provisions aimed to protect survivors from <\/span>conspiracy theories<\/span><\/a> and defamation. However, the defense ministry <\/span>removed<\/span><\/a> these provisions, citing concerns over freedom of expression.<\/span><\/p>\n Conspiracy theories persist despite a 2010 Ministry of National Defense investigation concluding that a North Korean torpedo caused the sinking. Captain Choi Won-il, who led the ship during the attack, has faced these conspiracy claims since his discharge in 2021. He described the continued efforts to counter misinformation, including <\/span>false accusations<\/span><\/a> that the sinking was a \u201cself-inflicted explosion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not asking for large amounts of compensation, but enduring ridicule and malicious comments have been incredibly painful,\u201d Choi told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Choi also emphasized that political rhetoric surrounding the sinking has hindered the mental health recovery of survivors and delayed meaningful discussions about support for those impacted by North Korea\u2019s attack.<\/span><\/p>\n