When a Friend Who Died 50 Years Ago Appeared... Seongamhakwon Victims Could Not Stop Crying

Truth and Reconciliation Commission to Announce Findings on Seongam Academy on the 20th
Victims Still Facing Mental and Economic Hardships
"Victims Are Aging. Prompt Apology and Support Needed"

On the 20th, Ahn Young-ho, Vice Chairman of the Seongam Academy Child Victim Countermeasures Council, wiping away tears at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's press conference on the 'Seongam Academy Child Human Rights Violation Case Truth Verification Decision.' / Photo by Truth and Reconciliation Commission

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] 'Yeomyeong-gu' was a 10-year-old child who entered Seongam Academy in July 1968. The record of the head student stopped at the expulsion due to unauthorized departure on May 31, 1972. However, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) revealed that he actually escaped from Seongam Academy and died while crossing the sea. It was a truth uncovered after 50 years.

On the 20th, at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 'Press Conference on the Decision to Uncover the Truth of Child Human Rights Violations at Seongam Academy,' tears did not stop from Ahn Young-ho, vice chairman of the Seongam Academy Child Victim Countermeasures Council, when Yeomyeong-gu's name was mentioned. Ahn and Yeomyeong-gu were elementary school friends. It was only after becoming a white-haired old man that the unjust death of his elementary school friend was revealed.

Ahn said, "I don't know how much I cried from the moment I took the subway to the press conference venue. Seeing my friend like this breaks my heart." He also said, "At the time, I didn't even know my friend tried to escape from Seongam Academy. No matter how close friends were, if word got to the teachers that someone was preparing to escape, terrible things would happen. Seongam Academy was a place where even friends could not trust each other," he said.

The day before, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced the results of the investigation into Seongam Academy. Seongam Academy was a child detention facility operated from 1942 during the Japanese colonial period until 1982 under the dictatorship, known for human rights abuses. The Commission confirmed 4,689 child detention records and additionally identified five child victims who died. It also stated that human rights violations such as labor exploitation, violence, and sexual violence occurred extensively within the Seongam Academy facility, and that the government and Gyeonggi Province bear responsibility for this.

Victims of Seongam Academy met last May (from left) Mr. Oh Kwang-seok, Mr. Han Il-young, and Mr. Kang Seong-geun said they are still experiencing trauma. Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

Although 40 years have passed since Seongam Academy closed, the victims still remain in pain. Han Il-young, Oh Kwang-seok, and Kang Seong-geun, victims of the Seongam Academy case whom we met last May, all complained of mental and economic difficulties.

Oh said, "I was so busy making a living that I didn't realize I had trauma. But at some point, I fell into an unbearable lethargy and realized it was trauma. When someone looked at me on the street, I felt like they were cursing me for no reason, and I developed a sense of victimization." Kang also said, "I'm in my mid-60s, but I still have nightmares about Seongam Academy. I hear the 'thumping' sound of someone taking the handle out of a pickaxe to hit me in my dreams."

The economic situation was also difficult. Han said, "It was hard to keep one job. I failed to get a job as an apartment manager because my appearance was damaged by bad experiences. I tried hard at the time, but it was no use." He added, "Not only me, but most Seongam Academy victims are economically struggling." In fact, according to a 2018 National Human Rights Commission survey, 21.4% (6 people) of the Seongam Academy victims surveyed were basic livelihood security recipients.

Although Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon apologized to the victims and promised support, the victims lamented that there is little time left. Kim Young-bae, chairman of the Child Victim Countermeasures Council, said, "We are grateful that Governor Kim is taking care of us, but we are old. This year, one Seongam Academy victim committed suicide due to financial hardship. Rapid support is needed." Han also said, "We received an apology from Gyeonggi Province, but not yet from the state. The state must also apologize. We need to watch whether Gyeonggi Province sincerely supports Seongam Academy victims in the future."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province promised various support measures for Seongam Academy victims. The province announced plans to promote ▲victim livelihood support ▲trauma relief and medical service support for victims ▲memorial and commemorative projects for the victims. Additionally, they plan to renovate the Seongam Academy burial site to create a memorial space and urge the National Assembly and government to establish a special law for compensation and reparation for victims and bereaved families.

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