[Reader Contribution] Urging the 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission to Step Up!!!

[Yoon Ho-sang, President of the Bereaved Families Association of Korean War Victims] The past does not wait. It is a race against time. The bereaved families are solely hoping that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will make vigorous efforts. “There are only a few days left in 2020,” he urges sincere activities from the 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an independent organization directly under the President, consisting of about 270 members, independently managing its budget and personnel to carry out truth-finding work, with authority delegated from the people.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission should not open its doors like a department store, displaying flashy storefronts while waiting for bereaved families to come as customers. It is a grave mistake to think that folding arms and watching others’ misfortunes like a bystander will somehow lead to progress.

Sorrow and anger are intersecting. More than two weeks have passed since the launch of the 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but due to COVID-19 prevention measures, the commission staff cannot go to the bereaved families’ office and are consulting with families over the phone from home.

Most bereaved families do not know what kind of institution the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is, and the majority ask what purpose the commission has in accepting truth-finding applications.

There are elderly bereaved families living in remote mountainous and rural areas, but relatively younger second-generation bereaved families in their 50s to early 60s are also included.

It is heartbreaking that many descendants of bereaved families who actively engaged in activities have passed away over time, which is astonishing.

They refrained from speaking about their activities and the facts surrounding their parents’ deaths, fearing that their involvement might harm their children.

One reason is the lifelong oppression of the harsh Yeonja system (guilt by association). Trauma symptoms are a pain experienced by all bereaved families.

A bereaved sister from Geoje region cautiously called and said, “During the Korean War, my father (a teacher) and uncle (a student) were drowned by the police in the sea off Jise-po, Geoje. At that time, my older sister was four years old, and I am a posthumous daughter, so this story was told to me by my aunt.” She added, “My aunt is elderly and in a welfare facility, so she cannot apply.”

Another case is of Mr. Kim, an advisor who passed away last year while engaged in the unification movement. He was massacred in a valley in Dongdaesin-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, and drowned in the nearby sea.

After much inquiry, his son was reached by phone and said, “I was completely unaware of the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” and after hearing the explanation, he said, “I will apply for truth-finding,” repeatedly expressing gratitude.

Park Seon-gyu, head of the Gwangju branch, who was part of a group of six massacred in Hwasun County, continued battling colon cancer and eventually passed away in July last year.

Even during his illness, he devoted himself to the struggle for past judicial revision. He contacted his son to submit a truth-finding application to the Dong-gu Office in Gwangju and expressed his aspiration to carry on his father’s will.

There is an even more heartrending story. It is about 96-year-old grandmother Lee Jong-geum. The tragic Korean War took everything from her. Her husband, father, and uncle were massacred by the police.

Her father and uncle received truth-finding decisions from the 1st Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but they could not go to trial and could not receive compensation because the statute of limitations had expired. Her husband was never even reported. She thought it was impossible without children.

She has lived as a young widow for 75 years. Without any children or relatives, she lives alone as an elderly person.

The Bereaved Families Association contacted Busan’s Executive Representative Lee Chun-geun and Busan Branch Director Moon Gwang-hyun to assist with the truth-finding application process and is preparing to submit it to the Dong-gu Office in Busan.

And this is not all. Countless poignant stories continue to emerge. The Bereaved Families Association is making every effort, but there are limits. Despite using all means such as newsletters, local organizations, and cafe promotions, it is insufficient.

It is time for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to step up. More than two weeks have passed.

Truth-finding applications are sluggish. The causes of this sluggishness are complex: the inadequacy of past history laws, lack of publicity, uncertainty about the future, and the inheritance of misfortune by descendants.

The biggest cause is lack of publicity. More precisely, it is a complete zero state of publicity.

The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which must overcome the shortcomings of the 1st commission and accelerate truth-finding work, has no time to be complacent. All members must ignite their eyes and find what needs to be done.

For example, one can see from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s website that even beginners would not design it that way. The website of a national organization must guarantee credibility and fulfill its role as a promotional tool.

They must hire capable aides and a publicity team and work tirelessly. They must expand their horizons to the National Assembly, government, and bereaved families.

The first task of truth-finding depends on publicity, and this is no exaggeration.

Civilian massacres must urgently relieve the fear inflicted by the state and society. To this end, first, public broadcasting, comprehensive programming channels, and daily newspapers must broadcast headlines assuring applicants for truth-finding that they will suffer no disadvantages, and subtitles must continuously encourage reporting until the last day.

Thus, hidden bereaved families can come out into society and reveal the truth.

Local governments must also be actively utilized. The websites of local governments, local broadcasts, and local daily newspapers should promote the truth-finding application for civilian massacres, and the organizational networks of neighborhoods, villages, and districts must be fully mobilized.

Like the sun rising over the East Sea, it is hoped that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will break through the horizon and rise. Today, too, the sun will set as the bereaved families’ phone inquiries continue.

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