5·18 Democratic Movement Investigation Committee Announces Revision of Death Toll... "Significant Progress on Shooting Order"

Due to the 5·18 Special Act, investigation details cannot be disclosed before the committee's activities end and the final report is submitted
The public announcement of the investigation results is expected by the end of next year

Song Seontae, Chairman of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Truth Investigation Committee, is taking the witness oath at the National Assembly's National Defense Committee hearing on the 5·18 Democratic Movement Truth Investigation Committee held at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Song Seon-tae, chairman of the 5·18 Democratic Movement Truth Investigation Committee, stated on the 15th that there has been significant progress regarding the shooting orders in the investigation conducted so far, and that a fundamental revision of the number of deaths is inevitable.

On this day, Chairman Song responded to inquiries related to the investigation at the National Defense Committee’s audit held at the National Assembly, saying, “Due to the special law’s provision prohibiting prior disclosure before resolution, I can only say that the investigation is ongoing,” but added that there has been important progress.

Chairman Song said, “Investigations have been thoroughly conducted from the lower ranks, including junior officers and soldiers who directly fired shots, and data is accumulating,” adding, “I can say that we are gradually confirming the substance of the meetings that decided the exercise of self-defense rights, the participants, and the contents of the meetings.”

He expressed the position that revision of the number of deaths is also inevitable. He explained, “There are about 60 people who directly participated in the secret burial, and there are specific testimonies regarding the locations and numbers,” and added, “The firearms used are also different from what has been revealed so far.” Furthermore, he added, “I have the prospect that a fundamental revision of the number of deaths is unavoidable.”

Chairman Song said, “We cautiously expect some changes as we compare the currently secured remains with the DNA of families who have applied for missing persons,” and added, “Although the matter itself is progressing significantly, it is difficult to disclose details at this time due to the opinion of the committee.” According to Article 37 of the 5·18 Truth Investigation Special Act, investigation contents cannot be disclosed before the committee’s activities are completed and the final report is submitted.

When asked whether cooperation with related ministries is going well, Chairman Song replied, “Cooperation is very smooth,” but added, “The mouths and hearts of those who have been silent, denying, and distorting for 40 years have not opened, which is a major obstacle to the investigation.” He also mentioned that among the five key figures of the new military regime who are the first targets of the 5·18 investigation’s face-to-face interviews, Jeong Ho-yong, then Special Forces Commander, has expressed willingness to be investigated, and the other four will be investigated as much as possible. The other four are, by their positions at the time, Chun Doo-hwan, Commander of the Korean Army Security Command; Roh Tae-woo, Commander of the Capital Security Command; Lee Hee-seong, Martial Law Commander; and Hwang Young-shi, Army Chief of Staff. Chairman Song anticipated that the results of the investigation would be announced to the public by the end of next year.

At the audit, some members of the Democratic Party of Korea argued that the special law’s provision prohibiting disclosure before the completion of the 5·18 truth investigation and the final report should be amended. Democratic Party member Seol Hoon said, “There are questions from the public about what the truth investigation has achieved,” and added, “Whenever new situations arise, the public should be reported to and the facts should be disclosed as they are.”

In response, Chairman Song explained, “The legal provisions regarding the timing and content of announcements differ significantly from those of other past government committees for historical truth settlement,” and added, “Only the 5·18 investigation committee is required to disclose after a resolution by the full committee. Although there was an issue raised during the last law revision, it was ultimately not amended.”

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