President Moon Jae-in (C) poses for a picture with the family of late labor activist Jeon Tae-il after a state medal awards ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae on Nov. 12, 2020. (Photo: Yonhap News)
President Moon Jae-in posthumously awarded on Thursday a state medal to Jeon Tae-il, who died 50 years ago while fighting to improve labor conditions for garment workers.
Moon presented the Mugunghwa Medal of the Order of Civil Merit to Jeon's younger sister, former lawmaker Jeon Soon-ok, during a ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae.
It came on the eve of the labor activist's tragic death on November 13, 1970.
Jeon was a 22-year-old tailor when he immolated himself in protest of better pay and working conditions for factory workers.
The presidential office said it decided to honor the patriotic martyr "to remember his service to the country through his work to improve laborers' rights.
On Friday, Jeon's family plans to dedicate the medal to the late activist at his grave before putting it on display at the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall in central Seoul.
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