Investigating Past Cases Including the Lee Chun-jae Incident and Human Rights Abuses at Hyeongjebokjiwon

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Decides to Begin Investigation of 328 Past Cases at Full Committee Meeting on 27th

Victims of the Hyeongjebokjiwon case, where detention, forced labor, and secret burials were carried out under the pretext of accommodating vagrants, held a press conference on the morning of the 20th in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, demanding 8 billion won in damages from the state before filing a lawsuit.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] An investigation to resolve past issues such as the Hyeongjebokjiwon and the Lee Chun-jae serial murder cases is set to begin.

The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Issues (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) held its 8th plenary session on the morning of this day and resolved to commence investigations into 328 cases, including the first truth verification application, the Hyeongjebokjiwon case. This is the first investigation commencement decision since the launch of the 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Under the Basic Act on Truth and Reconciliation for Past Issues, the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, scheduled for three years (with a possible one-year extension), will begin based on the initial investigation commencement decision date, the 27th.

A total of 328 cases have been decided for investigation commencement. Major cases include ▲ Ulsan National Security League Incident ▲ Civilian casualties caused by military and police forces and hostile forces in the Hwasun area of Jeonnam ▲ Hyeongjebokjiwon human rights violation case ▲ Seosan Pioneer Corps human rights violation case ▲ Seongam Academy child human rights violation case ▲ Serial murder suspect human rights violation case, among others.

Among these, the Hyeongjebokjiwon case, Seosan Pioneer Corps case, and Seongam Academy case are human rights violation cases in detention facilities targeting socially vulnerable groups, including children. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission stated, "These cases were relatively overlooked in the existing flow of past issue resolutions but have been newly highlighted through the remarkable development of human rights sensitivity in Korean society. In particular, it is significant that those forcibly excluded from society have become aware of their human rights and directly engaged in activities demanding truth verification."

As of the 21st, the total number of truth verification applications reached 3,636, with 7,443 applicants.

The scope of truth verification by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission includes ▲ Anti-Japanese independence movements ▲ Overseas compatriot history ▲ Civilian mass casualty incidents ▲ Human rights violations and fabrication suspicion cases ▲ Hostile force-related cases ▲ Other historically significant cases recognized by the Commission as requiring truth verification. The Commission plans to sequentially review the submitted cases and decide on investigations. The goal is to meet the investigation commencement deadline stipulated in the enforcement ordinance (within 90 days from the application receipt date) as soon as possible.

Jeong Geun-sik, Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said about the significance of the initial investigation commencement decision, "It is a meaningful moment marking the full-scale start of the 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission's activities," adding, "It is a significant first step responding to the expectations of surviving victims, bereaved families, and various sectors seeking to resolve past issues and move forward into the future."

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