Launch of 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission ... Start of Unresolved Past Truth Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The path to uncovering the truth about the Hyeongjebokjiwon and Seongam Hakwon incidents, which have caused pain to victims and their families due to insufficient investigations, as well as the mass civilian casualties around the Korean War, is reopening.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 9th that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Affairs will be launched on the 10th in accordance with the enforcement of the Past Affairs Settlement Act.

The newly established Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an independent committee for truth investigation, which will operate for three years from the start date of the investigation, handling not only truth-finding activities but also reconciliation tasks.

The scope of truth investigation includes ▲anti-Japanese independence movements during or just before the Japanese colonial period ▲overseas compatriot affairs from the Japanese colonial period until the enforcement of this law ▲mass civilian deaths, injuries, and disappearances around the Korean War period from August 15, 1945 ▲human rights violations and suspected fabrications during the authoritarian rule period from August 15, 1945 ▲terrorism, human rights abuses, violence, massacres, and suspicious deaths during the authoritarian rule period from August 15, 1945 ▲and other historically significant incidents recognized by the commission as requiring truth investigation.

For reconciliation, the state may take measures to restore the honor of victims of truth investigation cases, implement reconciliation actions, and promote national reconciliation and integration.

Applications for truth investigation can be submitted for two years until December 9, 2022. Applicants can fill out the application form and submit it in person to the city, county, or district office with jurisdiction over their address, the provincial office, or the commission located in Seoul, or send it by mail.

Eligibility to apply includes victims or their bereaved families within the scope of truth investigation cases, blood relatives within the eighth degree, relatives within the fourth degree, and spouses, either individually or as groups.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to cooperate with the commission to support publicity efforts to ensure no victim’s application is missed and will actively request local governments to assist in publicity and victim investigation support.

An official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety stated, "We hope the commission will resolve past issues in a way that meets the public’s expectations, comfort the pain of victims and their families, and contribute to national integration to move beyond the past toward a new future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.