President Yoon Appoints Kim Kwang-dong as Standing Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Presidential Office: "Qualified Candidate Combining Theory and Practice, Suitable for Work Continuity"

Kim Kwang-dong, Nominee for Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Affairs

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 9th, President Yoon Seok-yeol appointed Kim Gwang-dong as the chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission).

The Presidential Office disclosed this appointment through a press release on the same day, explaining that "Chairman Kim is equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in uncovering the truth about past affairs."

Appointee Kim is a social activist who graduated from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Korea University and earned a doctoral degree from the same university's graduate school. He has served as the director of the National Policy Research Institute, president of the Free Democracy Research Association, and director of the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation. In February last year, he was appointed as a standing commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission upon recommendation by the People Power Party. In 2008, during the Lee Myung-bak administration, he participated in writing the New Right-affiliated "Alternative Textbook on Modern and Contemporary Korean History."

The Presidential Office stated, "Appointee Kim, a political science Ph.D., is a political scientist and social activist who has been active in various civic and social organizations," adding, "Since February last year, he has served as a standing commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, carrying out work to uncover the truth about various past affairs." It further explained, "He is the right person to ensure continuity in the commission's current tasks and to contribute to national unity as the Republic of Korea moves toward the future through reconciliation with the past."

Meanwhile, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a national organization that investigates the realities of anti-Japanese movements during the Japanese colonial period, mass civilian casualties around the Korean War, and human rights violations by public authorities. It consists of a total of nine members, including one chairman, three standing commissioners, and six non-standing commissioners. The chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission holds a ministerial-level position with a two-year term.

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