Gangwon Domin Ilbo: “There Is No Statute of Limitations on State Responsibility… We Will Do Everything We Can to Establish a Truth-and-Reconciliation Foundation and Restore Victims’ Rights.”

Gangwon Domin Ilbo:
“There Is No Statute of Limitations on State Responsibility… We Will Do Everything We Can to Establish a Truth-and-Reconciliation Foundation and Restore Victims’ Rights.”

Original Korean article published on September 28th, 2026.
ChatGPT English translation posted to Paperslip on October 2nd, 2026.
Some BOLDS and all blue highlighting ours.

“There Is No Statute of Limitations on State Responsibility… We Will Do Everything We Can to Establish a Truth-and-Reconciliation Foundation and Restore Victims’ Rights”

Park Ji-eun · September 28, 2026, 12:06 a.m.

“[Desk Interview] Song Sang-kyo, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

• Human-rights violations involving fishermen who were abducted to North Korea and later returned along the East Coast

• Commission votes to launch an ex officio investigation and begins fact-finding

• Calls on the Ministry of Justice to issue concrete guidelines and expedite proceedings

• Recommendations to be implemented under a system overseen by the prime minister

• Expectations for greater effectiveness in restoring the honor of victims of the Sabuk Struggle

• Urgency of investigations increasing as witnesses and records disappear

• Operation of a provincial/metropolitan working council and advance information-sharing with local governments

• Building regional networks of cooperation to support victim recovery

• Recommendations for official apologies to victims and bereaved families and for memorial projects

• Pledge to carry out the Commission’s fundamental mission of resolving past injustices

▲ Song Sang-kyo, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

“There is no statute of limitations on the state’s responsibility.”

The Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Korea has embarked on an urgent mission to address the remnants of state violence, voting to make the “human-rights violations involving fishermen abducted to North Korea and later returned along the East Coast” its first ex officio investigation.

Song Sang-kyo, who previously served as secretary-general of the Second Truth and Reconciliation Commission before becoming chair of the third commission, expressed a strong determination to resolve long-standing cases as well as complete legislation for a comprehensive compensation and reparations law, without requiring victims to pursue individual lawsuits, and establish a foundation for addressing past injustices during his term.

Chair Song said:

“During the authoritarian era after liberation, innocent people were illegally arrested and detained in order to maintain political power. Through various forms of torture and abuse, ordinary people were turned into ‘spies,’ and the stigma that followed caused suffering even for their descendants. Fact-finding must lead to substantive restoration of their honor, including prosecutors seeking retrials on their own authority and courts issuing acquittals promptly.”

Beginning with its decision to launch an ex officio investigation into the East Coast abducted-and-returned fishermen case, the Third Commission has begun a range of activities.

He said:

“Civilian massacre cases in Gangwon Province, the Sabuk Struggle, and the remaining cases involving abducted-and-returned fishermen, which had long been silenced because of the special circumstances of a border region, have now entered the path toward full-scale truth-finding through the Third Commission. We will work together to restore the affected communities.”

The interview with Chair Song was conducted on the 18th at Kangwon National University’s Mirae Plaza.

The following is an edited presentation of the main points.

— You took office in March as chair of the Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a position equivalent to a cabinet minister. What is the significance of the launch of the third commission?

“I go to work each day determined to fulfill the heavy duty and enormous responsibility entrusted to the Third Commission. When I took office in March, I thanked the public for giving us time to continue the work of fully resolving past injustices, and said that I felt the weight of the responsibility of serving as chair of the Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“Calling this the ‘last opportunity’ expresses our sense of urgency. The people who can testify about these cases are disappearing, and records are also being lost, so I see this as the last opportunity to conduct complete investigations. The fact that a temporary commission has been established for a third time shows just how many unresolved issues from the past remain.

“The First Commission investigated civilian massacres around the Korean War and major human-rights violations, while the Second Commission established the truth for the first time regarding human-rights violations in mass detention facilities and the process of overseas adoption.

“Nevertheless, there was growing recognition of the need for more proactive investigative powers because of the limitations of investigations based solely on applications, as well as the need to strengthen victims’ rights. This ultimately led to a comprehensive revision of the law and the launch of the Third Commission.

“I consider this the last opportunity to comprehensively address the past. The tasks the Third Commission must accomplish are full-scale truth-finding, legislation for compensation and reparations for victims whose cases have been found to be true, and the establishment of a foundation that can continue the work of addressing past injustices.”

— How do you plan to address shortcomings or disappointments from the Second Commission in operating the Third Commission?

“When the Second Commission concluded its work, far too many cases were suspended. There was not enough time, and in some cases it was difficult to reach an immediate conclusion. We suspended investigations with the hope that there would be a third commission, but I felt deeply sorry about it.

“When we decided to open investigations into these cases, I felt as though I were repaying an old debt. I intend to do everything possible with the staff to bring forward the time when we can conduct full investigations and restore the honor and rights of these people.

“First, we will faithfully exercise the strengthened investigative powers provided by the revised law governing the Third Commission. During the period given to us, we will focus on thorough truth-finding by strengthening investigative capabilities and expanding ex officio investigations.

“In the second half of this year, we plan to complete the establishment of Investigation Bureau 3, which handles human-rights violations involving overseas adoption and mass detention facilities, by October. We are also preparing to establish a department for excavating remains and to hold the first deliberative public forum for gathering victims’ views as part of an effort to operate a commission that is open to victims.”

— What is the scale of, and plan for, the Third Commission’s first ex officio investigation, the East Coast abducted-and-returned fishermen case?

“On September 8, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission decided that the ‘human-rights violations involving abducted-and-returned fishermen’ constituted a historically important case requiring truth-finding and voted to investigate it ex officio.

“The Second Commission had also selected this case as its first ex officio investigation and successfully completed the investigation. Initially, an ex officio investigation was approved covering 109 vessels and 982 people. As a result of the investigation, including both applications and ex officio investigations, truth-finding determinations were made for a total of 144 vessels and 1,288 people.

“The cases selected for ex officio investigation by the Third Commission cover 57 vessels and 366 people. These include cases that were not included in the Second Commission’s ex officio investigation and were investigated only after individual applications, as well as newly filed applications to the Third Commission.

“Going forward, we plan to pursue ex officio investigations in stages, rather than limiting ourselves to cases submitted through applications.”

— Many abducted-and-returned fishermen were illegally detained and tortured, falsely accused of being spies, and suffered judicial harm. How will you cooperate with the courts and prosecutors to ensure meaningful restoration of their honor, such as blanket retrial petitions or acquittals, after truth-finding decisions?

“The Commission intends to communicate and cooperate with relevant institutions so that truth-finding for victims can lead to follow-up measures, including retrials.

“Following the Second Commission’s truth-finding decisions, prosecutors have taken highly proactive measures, including filing large numbers of retrial petitions on their own authority and, in cases where prosecution had previously been suspended, beginning procedures to change the disposition to a decision not to prosecute for lack of evidence.

“The courts, too, have continued issuing rulings that respect the Commission’s findings in victims’ retrials and lawsuits seeking state compensation.

“However, despite having suffered for a long time, victims say they are experiencing further hardship because considerable time passes between the Commission’s truth-finding decision and receiving a court judgment.

“Victims’ organizations representing the abducted-and-returned fishermen say that, of the 1,288 cases subject to retrial after truth-finding, only about 300 have resulted in acquittals through retrial or prosecutors’ ex officio retrial petitions, while follow-up measures have still not been taken in the remaining roughly 800 cases.

“I ask the Ministry of Justice to take active measures by issuing concrete guidelines on the remaining abducted-and-returned fishermen cases so that those for whom the truth has been established can receive speedy acquittals through ex officio retrials.

“I hope the prosecutors and courts will expedite judicial procedures so as to alleviate, even slightly, the suffering of the victims. The Commission will do everything it can in this process.”

— What is the current status of efforts to restore the honor of victims of the Sabuk Struggle in Jeongseon and secure a state apology?

“Under the amendments to the law governing the Third Commission, responsibility for monitoring implementation of recommendations has been transferred to the ‘Recommendation Implementation Management Group’ under the Office for Government Policy Coordination. The system has also been elevated to one overseen by the prime minister, and we expect this to accelerate implementation.

“In particular, the victims of the Sabuk case have spent many years demanding an official apology from the state. Fortunately, at a luncheon meeting for victims of state violence held at the Blue House on August 7, President Lee Jae-myung personally heard the victims’ voices and offered an apology. I understand that the victims found this greatly comforting.

“Going forward, the Commission will carefully follow not only truth-finding but also subsequent measures, striving to achieve both recovery for victims and national unity through reconciliation.”

— Civilian massacre cases in Gangwon Province around the Korean War—in Chuncheon, Cheorwon, Yanggu, and elsewhere—have been difficult to investigate because of the lack of records and the silence of bereaved families. Does the Third Commission have a specialized approach for cases in Gangwon?

“We intend to conduct investigations taking into account Gangwon Province’s unique historical circumstances before the Korean War and the fact that it was an intense battlefield during the war.

“In Gangwon, there were civilian killings by the North Korean government in areas occupied by North Korea before the Korean War, but it is difficult to collect documentary evidence. In particular, because the front lines shifted during the war, there were various perpetrators of civilian killings.

“I believe this needs to be examined rigorously. Taking these circumstances into account, we will make every effort to secure testimony concerning the cases and incorporate it into our investigations, while also reviewing documentary evidence.”

— How will you cooperate with local governments and civic organizations in response to the aging and geographical dispersion of victims in Gangwon?

“The Third Commission operates a provincial and metropolitan working council and cooperates with events and various activities organized by civic groups.

“Before investigations begin, we share information with local governments regarding the people to be investigated and the scope of the investigation, and we cooperate closely by making use of facilities provided by city, county, and district governments.

“Through civic organizations, we seek assistance in receiving reports concerning cases, identifying people who can provide oral testimony and witnesses, locating materials such as old photographs and genealogies, and investigating places where victims were killed.

“Some local cultural centers have collected and published oral histories from the Korean War period, so we plan to link our investigations with those materials.

“Local civic organizations that have documented the region’s long history and the circumstances of victims have played a major role in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s truth-finding activities.

“In particular, the East Coast Abducted-and-Returned Fishermen Citizens’ Group has directly located victims and helped them file applications with the Commission, while also recording the victims’ voices. It has further analyzed the Commission’s investigation results and proposed remaining tasks.

“I believe these community activities will not only greatly assist the Commission’s investigations but also remain a valuable asset for the local community.

“On August 13, victims of the abducted-and-returned fishermen cases received acquittals in retrial at the Gangneung Branch of the Chuncheon District Court. On the same day, Standing Commissioner Lee Ho-jung held a meeting with the victims and the civic group.

“I understand that the victims and civic group expressed many views about what they wanted from the Commission and that the meeting also served as an opportunity to reaffirm their trust in the Commission.

“We will continue to cooperate and communicate with local civil society in the Commission’s investigative activities.”

— What recommendations are you preparing regarding memorial projects or memorial spaces by local governments, so that truth-finding about past injustices can heal wounds in local communities and preserve the historical record?

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has continuously issued recommendations concerning measures to restore victims’ honor and provide remedies for victims in cases where the truth has been established.

“In the truth-finding decisions of the First and Second Commissions, we recommended that the government and local governments officially apologize to victims and bereaved families; support memorial and commemorative projects; correct official records, such as family registers, to reflect accurate dates of death; correct and incorporate historical records; and strengthen peace and human-rights education.

“The Third Commission will continue making similar recommendations.

“In the Sabuk case as well, we recommended that the state and local governments support commemorative projects that could contribute to reconciliation within the local community.

“Going forward, we will examine these matters even more carefully so that we can formulate concrete recommendations for restoring victims’ honor and providing remedies.”

— Despite the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations for retrials, there are cases in which retrials have not taken place. What is your view of ‘retrial recommendations’?

“During the authoritarian era after liberation, innocent people were illegally arrested and detained in order to maintain political power. Through various forms of torture and abuse, ordinary people were turned into spies, and the resulting stigma caused suffering even for their descendants.

“At a luncheon at the Blue House on August 7, the president comforted victims of state violence and said, ‘There is no statute of limitations on the state’s responsibility.’

“It is unacceptable for the state, whose duty is to protect its citizens, to turn its own citizens into victims and become the perpetrator in order to maintain political power.

“Fortunately, under the Lee Jae-myung administration, the Ministry of Justice has announced a proactive position regarding retrial cases involving cases in which the Commission has established the truth. Refraining from excessive appeals or appeals to the Supreme Court is a natural step.

“In particular, with regard to the Jeju 4·3 Incident, prosecutors had been pursuing ex officio retrials for victims of ordinary criminal trials, but there had been no clear legal basis. In July 2023, the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Jeju 4·3 Special Act explicitly allowing prosecutors to seek ex officio retrials for victims of ordinary trials as well.

“For the Yeosu-Suncheon incident, last November the Suncheon District Prosecutors’ Office also filed ex officio for special retrials, which have simplified procedures, in cases where people convicted in connection with the incident had received final judgments of guilt, pursuant to the Special Act on the Investigation of the Yeosu-Suncheon 10·19 Incident and Restoration of Honor to Victims.

“Despite this trend, it seems that some processes in litigation still continue to inflict renewed wounds because they fail to take victims’ suffering into account and become trapped in legal formalism.

“On August 22, one media outlet reported that the late Choi Chang-il, a Korean resident of Japan, had been acquitted 50 years later, but that the Ministry of National Defense was refusing state compensation on the grounds that ‘the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s investigation was biased.’

“Ultimately, this pours cold water on government-wide efforts to resolve past injustices and reopens victims’ suffering.

“Whether in litigation or meetings, it is extremely important for the government and local governments to understand and respect the victims’ position throughout every process.

“At the same time, I believe this amounts to denying the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, an independent national investigative body. The Commission does not base its decisions solely on statements from applicants and witnesses; it also obtains and analyzes background information and direct evidence related to cases, and its commissioners—who are experts—make comprehensive judgments.

“Even if it takes time, the state must restore public trust by supporting and providing compensation and reparations in cases for which retrials have been recommended, thereby helping victims heal from the suffering and trauma they experienced and taking measures to restore their rights and honor.”

— Responsibility for monitoring and managing implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations has shifted from the minister of the Interior and Safety to the prime minister, while the chair of the working committee that pre-coordinates and adjusts agenda items has been elevated from the vice minister of Interior and Safety to the head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. What has changed?

“During the First Commission, the Prime Minister’s Office established a ‘Recommendation Processing Deliberation Committee’ and operated a ‘Planning Group for Processing Recommendations Related to Past Affairs.’ The head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination served as chair, while vice ministers or officials of equivalent rank from relevant ministries served as members, strengthening the ability to implement recommendations.

“During the Second Commission, there were no relevant regulations, and following amendments to the Act on the Settlement of Past Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s ‘Support Group for Past Affairs’ took charge of implementing recommendations beginning September 22, 2023.

“However, it was difficult for the Interior and Safety Ministry to supervise implementation by other ministries of equal rank. The ministry itself was also frequently among the institutions responsible for implementing recommendations, making effective management difficult.

“With the latest amendment to the law governing the Third Commission, responsibility for managing implementation of recommendations has once again, as during the First Commission, been transferred to the ‘Recommendation Implementation Management Group’ under the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

“As the system has been elevated to one overseen by the prime minister, we expect the speed and rate of implementation to increase.

“Going forward, I ask for the public’s continued interest so that, after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission establishes the truth, the state will also take responsibility for resolving subsequent measures and achieve the goal of national unity through reconciliation.”

— What goals do you absolutely want to accomplish during your term?

“Above all, my greatest goal is to resolve the grievances of applicants, victims, and bereaved families by establishing the truth about these cases.

“To do that, our first priority is to conduct proper investigations. I plan to complete, during my term, the cases whose investigations were suspended under the Second Commission, and to process this year the cases whose investigations had already been completed by the Second Commission.

“I also intend for each subcommittee to begin this year with the most important ex officio investigations.

“I want to establish a stable and systematic framework for the Third Commission. Since we went through considerable difficulty to create Investigation Bureau 3 and secure personnel for it, I want to establish a system capable of properly investigating human-rights violations in mass detention facilities and during the overseas adoption process.

“I also want to implement the purpose of the amendments to the Past Affairs Act aimed at strengthening victims’ rights.

“In particular, the deliberative public forum is the first system of its kind to be implemented on a full scale by a national institution, and I want to establish it properly.

“The work of resolving past injustices now needs to proceed from a broader perspective. To strengthen policy-planning functions, we plan to establish a Policy Planning Division in November.

“Another task is to ensure that the remains-excavation project operates stably. We will properly handle excavation, identification of excavated remains, and compensation for losses arising during excavation.

“Finally, I want to achieve institutional improvements that the First Commission onward have been unable to resolve.

“I want to work actively with relevant ministries to pass legislation for compensation and reparations and legislation to establish a tentatively named Truth and Reconciliation Foundation.”

— What principle do you consider most important in rebuilding the Commission as an institution trusted by the public and bereaved families?

“Resolving past injustices is a process of putting the past right and preparing for the future by establishing the truth about concealed cases.

“I believe the Truth and Reconciliation Commission must respond to the public’s trust through fair investigations based on facts and records and do its utmost to realize the values of truth and reconciliation.

“So far, I have listened to voices from the field through more than 60 meetings with victims and bereaved-family organizations in various areas, including overseas adoption, mass detention facilities, and civilian massacres around the Korean War.

“The main requests included ‘actively publicize applications for truth-finding so that no victims are unable to apply,’ as well as legislation for compensation and reparations, expanded ex officio investigations to establish the truth, trauma treatment, and strengthened history education.

“The most common request was to create a system through which compensation and reparations could be provided after the Commission establishes the truth without requiring individual lawsuits.

“Ultimately, the important principle is to focus on the Commission’s fundamental tasks of establishing the truth and restoring honor, and to serve as a stepping stone toward preventing human-rights violations by the state from happening again.

“I also believe it is our historic responsibility to complete the Third Commission’s mission by enacting comprehensive compensation and reparations legislation and establishing a foundation for resolving past injustices.”

Park Ji-eun, Political Affairs Editor

About Song Sang-kyo

Song Sang-kyo, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:

• Born in Jeonju in 1972

• Graduated from Seoul Chungam High School and Seoul National University’s Department of Public Law

• Completed the 34th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute

• Attorney at the law firm Deoksu

• Secretary-general of Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun)

• Secretary-general of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Keywords: Commission · victims · truth-finding · ex officio investigation · abducted-and-returned fishermen”