Truth and Reconciliation Commission Investigates Forced Conscription and Infiltration Operations Targeting University Students... Victims Express Deep Resentment

University Students Involved in Student Movements Forcibly Drafted into Military
Human Rights Violations Including Assault, Abuse, and Threats
187 Applicants Recognized as Victims of Human Rights Violations
Truth and Reconciliation Commission: "State Must Apologize to Victims"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) has concluded the 'Forced Conscription of University Students and Informant Coercion Operation Incident' as a serious human rights violation by public authority. While the victims welcomed the delayed truth-finding, they also expressed outrage over state-led crimes.

On the 23rd, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission held a 'Truth-finding Decision Press Conference on the Forced Conscription of University Students and Informant Coercion Operation Incident' at 10 a.m. at the Namsan Square Building in Jung-gu, Seoul. The Commission began investigating this case on May 27 last year and conducted the investigation for one and a half years. The first round of truth-finding subjects were those who applied for truth-finding from December 13, 2020, to July 4 of this year.

The Forced Conscription of University Students and Informant Coercion Operation Incident refers to the forced conscription of university students involved in student movements during the 1970s and 1980s dictatorship era into the military to isolate them from society or use them as informants. It was confirmed that such acts continued beyond the dictatorship regime until the Roh Tae-woo administration in 1990. Although the Ministry of National Defense Past Affairs Committee identified this incident as illegal in 2007 and the Presidential Commission on Suspicious Deaths also addressed it, this is the first time that individual victim cases have been comprehensively identified and acknowledged.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission stated, "University students were charged under now abolished or unconstitutional and illegal orders such as 'Military Security Command Order,' 'Emergency Measure No. 9,' and 'Martial Law Proclamation No. 10,' and forcibly enlisted through simplified enlistment procedures." They added, "During the informant operation and guidance work, the state inflicted serious human rights violations such as assault, harsh treatment, and threats."

The Commission judged that out of 207 applicants for truth-finding, 187 were victims of human rights violations. It was confirmed that they were illegally surveilled by the state while participating in student movements, arrested and detained, and subsequently expelled from their schools. A total of 143 victims experienced forced conscription, informant operations, and guidance operations. The remaining 20 applicants, who have not yet been judged as victims of human rights violations, will be further investigated.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission explained that it made its judgment by comprehensively reviewing 2,417 individual dossiers transferred by the Military Security Support Command to the National Archives and student records remaining at universities. It was reported that the individual dossiers included prominent figures such as Kim Soon-ho, Director of the Police Bureau who was suspected of being an informant, as well as Yoo Si-min, Park Rae-gun, and Lee Kang-taek.

The Commission stated that the state must step forward and apologize to the victims. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission said, "Government bodies such as the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Education, and intelligence agencies have not presented specific policy measures for apology and victim restoration," and recommended, "The state should take responsibility and apologize." Furthermore, it recommended that the Ministry of National Defense take the lead in enacting a special law on compensation and restitution for victims and restoration of honor.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The victims welcomed the truth-finding results of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Victim Jo Jeung-joo said, "I suffered because I stood against the military dictatorship," adding, "Although the results are insufficient, I appreciate that the first step has been taken and thank many people. Today, I think it's okay to go home and have a glass of Makgeolli."

However, the victims, filled with indignation, expressed regret over the long delay in truth-finding and the still distant investigation results. Victim Byun Dae-geun said, "I understand that the investigation results were produced after much effort, but not everyone will be satisfied with the investigation," and added, "I hope the victims' objections and other opinions will be reflected as much as possible in the next report." Victim Lee Yong-seong said, "I never had the chance to view the dossiers during the investigation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission," and expressed doubt, saying, "They did not investigate the police officials who were central to the forced conscription and informant operations, so I question whether the truth-finding was properly conducted."

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