Truth and Reconciliation Commission Adds 158 More Victims of Samcheong Education Camp for Truth Verification

Decision to Uncover the Truth Behind Collective Sacrifice Incidents Including the Bodo Yeonmaeng

The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) announced on the 19th that it has decided to additionally investigate the truth regarding 158 victims of Samcheong Education. This decision marks the third truth investigation related to Samcheong Education. So far, including the 1st and 2nd rounds, a total of 310 victims have been investigated.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Illegal use of public authority was also found in this investigation. According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the victims arrested at the time were classified into four stages?A, B, C, and D?by classification review committees organized at each police station. The first classification review was conducted at the city, county, and district levels by joint committees composed of military, police, and prosecutors. The second detailed review committee classified the subjects for re-education at military units designated as re-education sites. These individuals suffered illegal detention, beatings, and other harsh treatment during re-education, labor service, and protective custody. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission decided to investigate the truth based on a court ruling on December 28, 2018, which declared Samcheong Education unconstitutional and illegal.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended that the state expand the scope of Samcheong Education victims to include all those admitted to the Samcheong Education Corps and prepare appropriate compensation measures for the victims by revising the Samcheong Education Victims Act. Furthermore, it emphasized taking corresponding measures such as retrials for victims who were convicted under the Martial Law Act and the Social Protection Act during the Samcheong Education period.

Meanwhile, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission also decided to investigate the truth of nine collective victimization cases, including incidents of sacrifice by military and police in Jangheung and Gwangju, incidents involving the National Guidance Alliance and preliminary arrests in Geochang and Geoje, incidents of sacrifice involving military and police in Uljin and the National Guidance Alliance in Daegu, and incidents of sacrifice involving the National Guidance Alliance in Chungju and military and police in Asan. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended that the state and local governments officially apologize to the victims and their families of collective victimization incidents, take measures to restore damages, support memorial projects, reflect these events in historical records, and conduct peace and human rights education.

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