Truth and Reconciliation Commission Confirms 86 Abductees from the Korean War

"Nation Must Apologize and Take Measures to Restore Damage"

The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) decided to investigate the truth regarding 86 abductees during the Korean War and recommended that the state apologize to the victims and take measures to restore the damage.

Memorial monument at the National 6.25 War Abductees Memorial Hall in Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 21st, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced that it had identified 86 abductees during the Korean War. This is the second time the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has decided to investigate the truth related to abduction incidents during the Korean War. Last November, the commission recognized 68 abductees during the Korean War as victims.

The wartime abduction incident refers to cases from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, during the Korean War, where South Korean citizens residing in South Korea, excluding soldiers, were forcibly abducted by North Korea against their will and detained or made to reside in North Korean territory.

The newly confirmed abductees are distributed by region as follows: 43 cases in Seoul, 28 in Gyeonggi, 9 in Incheon, 3 in Gyeongsang, 2 in Gangwon, and 1 in Chungcheong.

The victims included ▲ civilians such as farmers and laborers ▲ prominent political figures ▲ individuals resisting the North Korean regime ▲ professionals ▲ those forcibly conscripted as volunteer soldiers and laborers. Most were abducted before the South Korean government recaptured Seoul after the outbreak of the Korean War, often being kidnapped from their homes.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended that the state issue an official apology from the North Korean regime and urge the repatriation of abductees, and also apologize to the wartime abductees and their families for failing to fulfill the state's duty to protect the safety of its citizens, taking appropriate measures to restore the damage.

Additionally, the commission decided to investigate the truth regarding the case of Mr. Yoon, who was illegally detained by the Security Headquarters in 1990 on charges of violating the National Security Act, forced to give testimony, and subjected to harsh treatment such as sleep deprivation. It recommended that the state apologize and take appropriate measures such as retrial.

Mr. Yoon, who was the head of the Seoul branch of the labor union at Taepyeongyang Chemical Co., Ltd., was sentenced by the Seoul District Court to eight months in prison with a two-year probation for possessing subversive leaflets and participating in a gathering that clearly threatened public peace and order.

Furthermore, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission also investigated the truth of the 'March 15 Uprising Protest Participation Confirmation Case,' the 'Civilian Casualty Cases by Military and Police in Iwon-myeon, Taean, Chungnam; Yeonggwang, Jeonnam; and Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk,' the 'Chungbuk Cheongju and Cheongwon National Security League and Preliminary Arrest Cases,' the 'Gyeongnam Jinju National Security League and Preliminary Arrest Cases,' and the 'Civilian Casualty Cases by Hostile Forces in Wando and Hwasun, Jeonnam.'

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