National Assembly Passes Amendment to the Past Affairs Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] The amendment to the "Basic Act on Past Affairs Settlement for Truth and Reconciliation" (Past Affairs Act) aimed at uncovering human rights violations was passed in the National Assembly plenary session on the 20th. Once this law is enforced, reinvestigations into incidents such as the Brothers Home and the civilian massacres during the Korean War (6.25) are expected to take place.

The amendment primarily involves reestablishing the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission," which was dissolved after its investigative activities from 2006 to 2010, to clarify the truth regarding human rights violations that occurred from the Japanese colonial period through the era of authoritarian rule. The conditions for truth verification cases are defined as those requiring truth clarification due to reasons for retrial under the Civil Procedure Act and the Criminal Procedure Act. The investigation period and the extension period are set at three years and one year, respectively.

The Past Affairs Settlement Commission will be composed of one member appointed by the President and eight members recommended by the National Assembly (four from the ruling party and four from the opposition). Among them, three standing members include one appointed by the President and one each from the ruling and opposition parties. Additionally, it was stipulated that hearings be conducted in closed sessions.

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