"Torture and False Confession to Military Investigators"... Truth and Reconciliation Commission Decides to Uncover the Truth

Investigation into the Truth of Anti-Communist Law Violation Charges

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has determined the "Human Rights Violations such as Illegal Detention under the National Defense Guard Act" case as a serious human rights violation and decided to investigate the truth.

Last May, a press conference marking the 3rd anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's investigation commencement was held at the Truth and Reconciliation Committee for Past Affairs in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 22nd, the TRC announced that it made this decision at the 85th commission meeting held on the 20th at the Seoul Jung-gu office.

The case involves a victim who, in July 1950 at the early stage of the Korean War, was incorporated into the North Korean Volunteer Army and taken to the North, then surrendered and defected to South Korea in August 1952, and was subjected to torture and forced false confessions by South Korean military investigators. As a result, the victim was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of espionage and was paroled after 16 years.

The TRC confirmed through investigation of court rulings and detention records that the victim was subjected to harsh treatment including torture and forced false confessions while being illegally detained by South Korean military investigators.

Accordingly, the TRC apologized to the victim for the serious human rights violations and recommended that the state take appropriate measures to restore the victim’s honor.

Meanwhile, the TRC also determined that victims who were prosecuted and convicted under the Anti-Communist Law were victims of serious human rights violations and decided to investigate the truth. In 1973, victims residing in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, were prosecuted under the Anti-Communist Law for statements such as "It would be easier if we quickly reach an agreement with Kim Il-sung," and were sentenced to two years in prison with a four-year probation and a two-year disqualification.

The TRC apologized to the victims and recommended appropriate measures to restore their honor.

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