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Gov't to set up committee to honor civic resistance to martial law

Published: 10 Mar. 2026, 16:54

People brave the cold to hold a rally in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Dec. 3, 2025, to mark the first anniversary of martial law imposition. The protesters held placards calling for social reform and a reckoning over the martial law fiasco, while others lit up the night with K-pop light sticks. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The government will establish the presidential "Committee of Light" to honor the dedication and spirit of people who contributed to protecting the Constitution and democracy during the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.

The Cabinet approved a bill earlier in the day on the establishment and operation of the Committee of Light, the ministry said. It will consist of no more than 35 members, including experts in the fields of the Korean Constitution and democracy.

The panel will establish basic directions for the spread of Korean-style citizen participation democracy, and issue and award the "certificate of light" to people who contributed to the protection of democracy during the martial law imposition.

The government plans to establish the criteria on the issuance of the certificate after deliberation by the committee.

The committee will also pursue projects to inherit the spirit of democracy, such as collecting opinions on whether to designate a national commemorative day related to the "revolution of light," which refers to the citizen-led, pro-democracy movement that followed the martial law crisis.

The ministry explained that the decision to set up the Committee of Light has come after the Constitutional Court and other courts ruled to the effect that the participation and resistance of citizens played an important role in the process of lifting martial law and restoring constitutional order.

Yonhap