Asia Today Article: “(TRC 3) to Investigate Adoptees Scattered Worldwide… Interpreters and Translators Key Issue.”

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“Truth Commission to Investigate Adoptees Scattered Worldwide… Interpreters and Translators Key Issue

Originally posted in Korea on March 15th, 2026.
Posted to Paperslip on March 16th, 2026.
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“Truth Commission to Investigate Adoptees Scattered Worldwide… Interpreters and Translators Key Issue
By Kim Tae-hoon
Approved: March 15, 2026, 20:00

Of the 1,309 applications for truth investigations, 864 involve overseas adoptions.
Another 311 overseas adoption cases had their investigations suspended during the commission’s second term.

There are limits to conducting investigations only in English… multilingual interpretation and translation staff are needed.

With the launch of the third term of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC 3), overseas adoption cases are emerging as a major agenda item. This is because adoptees scattered around the world—particularly in Europe and Asia—are continuing to submit applications requesting investigations into the truth of their adoptions. However, while these cases require responses in multiple languages, the commission’s current foreign-language support system remains at an early stage, making the securing of professional interpreters and translators an urgent task.

The third-term TRC, which launched on February 26, is an independent national body tasked with uncovering the truth behind human rights violations committed by past state authorities. During this term, overseas adoption cases have become a major focus of investigation.

According to the commission, as of March 10, a total of 1,309 applications for truth investigations had been received. Among them, 864 cases relate to overseas adoptions. In addition, 311 overseas adoption cases that had their investigations suspended during the second-term commission remain pending.

The first application for truth investigation in the third term also concerns a case of adoption to Denmark and other parts of Europe. Within and around the commission, there is speculation that additional applications may follow from various countries, including European nations such as the Netherlands.

As the number of countries involved grows, the commission also needs to prepare language support systems. However, its current foreign-language capability is effectively limited to English.

According to reporting by Asia Today on March 15, the commission is internally reviewing a plan to include “English proficiency preferred” in upcoming recruitment notices for investigators. Additionally, guidance for overseas applicants on the commission’s website is currently available only in Korean and English.

Since applications related to overseas adoption are coming from multiple language regions across Europe and Asia, critics point out that relying solely on English may be insufficient.

Seo Yu-kyung, adjunct professor in the Korean–Norwegian interpretation program at the Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, explained:

“When a ‘relay translation’ method is used—translating from the local language into English and then into Korean—there is a risk that meanings may be distorted or some information may be lost.”

She added that in investigations seeking to uncover the truth, subtle nuances in testimony are crucial, so it is preferable to establish a system of direct interpretation between the local language and Korean whenever possible.

She also noted:

“In interviews dealing with sensitive issues, if the interpretation process becomes too complicated, interviewees may feel psychologically intimidated. Creating an environment where they can communicate directly with Korean investigators in their own language would help draw out deeper testimony.”

Investigations into overseas adoption cases will be handled by the newly established Investigation Bureau 3, which will be created in the future. The commission plans to form a task force (TF) first to prepare for related cases.

The Investigation Bureau 3 Preparation Task Force is expected to be launched as early as this week.

A commission official stated:

“The enforcement decree and regulations have not yet been finalized, so detailed staffing plans have not been confirmed. After the task force is launched, we will review personnel composition plans, including responses in foreign languages beyond English.”’