It is needless to discuss about proper compensation for soldiers of national
merits who are alive or dead by taking a part in Vietnam War and for their
bereaved families. But respectful treatment for Solidiers of Vietnam War is
different from treatment for 'Men of Merit of Independent' or other men of
merits. Especially, after national assembly passed 'the Law of respectful
treatment for 4·19 Revolutionary Men of Merit' on December, 30, 2011, other
men of merit who are related to 4·19 Revolution are asking for 1320,000won of
annuity as annuity for 'respectful treatment for Men of Merit of Independent.
According to this logic, for fair treatment for men of merit, 660,000won, half
amount of men of merit who are related to 4·19 Revolution's demand, must be
given for Soldiers of Vietnam War who contributed greatly for Republic of
Korea. Especially, veterans welfare policy for men who are suffering long-term
effects of exposure to the Agent Orange (defoliants) has many problems to
correct. Comparison of provision for occupational health and safety insurance and
men who are suffering long-term effects of exposure tothe Agent Orange
(defoliants), for example, occupational health and safety insurance is divided into
14 different grades, but veterans welfare policy for men who are suffering
long-term effects of exposure to defoliants and their second generation is
dividing grades in to three grades: seriously disabled, average disabled and
slightly disabled. This comparison shows attention and care of men who are
suffering long-term effects of exposure tothe Agent Orange (defoliants) are
insufficient than that of occupational health and safety insurance directly.
Furthermore, comparison of same grades' payment from government for
occupational health and safety insurance and men who are suffering long-term
effects of exposure to the Agent Orange (defoliants) has gap in amount of
payment about threefold to fivefold. These examples shows inadequate reality,
that respectful treatment for men who are suffering long-term effects of
exposure to the Agent Orange (defoliants), who fought in the jungle for the
nation, is inadequate comparing with that of occupational health and safety
insurance, which is for people who are working just for their company and
themselves. Thus, government must not deny men who are suffering long-term
effects of exposure to defoliants' mentally, physically, economically problem, and
have to take care of them and provide welfare policy for them, as that of other
men of national merit.