Newsis: TRC 3 Completes 3 Subcommittees, Speeds Truth-Finding Preparations.
Newsis Article:
“3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission Completes Formation of Three Subcommittees… Preparations for Truth-Finding Investigations Gain Momentum”
Published in Korean by Newsis on July 3rd, 2026.
English Translation via ChatGPT posted to Paperslip on July 4th, 2026.
BOLDS and blue highlighting ours.
See original Korean article (linked above) for photos.
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Photo caption (see original Korean article linked above for photo):
“Seoul (Newsis) — Song Sang-kyo, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and the commissioners pose for a commemorative photo after the Commission's first plenary meeting, held in the Commission's main conference room in Jung-gu, Seoul, on July 3. (Photo provided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission) July 3, 2026.”
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“3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission Completes Formation of Three Subcommittees… Preparations for Truth-Finding Investigations Gain Momentum
Published: July 3, 2026, 4:54 p.m.
5,360 applications for truth-finding received as of June 24 (2026)
Preliminary review of cases to begin this month
Third Investigation Bureau remains a task force for now; full investigations expected to begin in October
Seoul (Newsis) — The Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has completed the formation of its First, Second, and Third Subcommittees, which are responsible for deliberating and deciding individual cases, and is accelerating preparations for full-scale truth-finding investigations.
The Commission announced that it held its first plenary meeting on the morning of July 3 at its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, where members reviewed and approved the composition of the subcommittees according to the responsibilities of the Investigation Bureau. Based on these newly formed subcommittees, the Commission plans to begin preliminary reviews of submitted truth-finding applications later this month.
The subcommittees are responsible for deciding whether to open investigations into submitted cases or dismiss them. They will conduct preliminary reviews of cases involving victims of state violence and human rights abuses that occurred between the Japanese colonial period and the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in November 2001, including determining whether on-site investigations are necessary.
The First Subcommittee will be chaired by Standing Commissioner Kim Gui-ok, with Commissioners Park Gu-byeong, Lee Hyun-joo, and Lee Dong-wook serving as members.
The Second Subcommittee will be chaired by Standing Commissioner Lee Ho-jung, with Commissioners Jeong Won-ok, Kim Woong-ki, and Park Rae-gun participating.
The Third Subcommittee will be chaired by Standing Commissioner Jang Young-soo, with Commissioners Kim Jeong-ha, Kim Young-joo, and Choi Chang-ho serving as members.
According to the Commission, 5,360 applications for truth-finding had been received as of June 24. Approximately 3,000 were submitted directly to the Commission, while about 2,300 were filed through local governments.
By category, the largest number of applications involved alleged fabricated human rights violation cases (1,952 cases), followed by human rights abuses at institutional confinement facilities (1,365 cases), and mass civilian killings (approximately 1,200 cases).
The newly established Third Investigation Bureau, which was created during the Commission's third term to specialize in investigations into overseas adoption-related human rights violations and abuses in institutional confinement facilities, is currently operating as a task force (TF) pending its formal establishment. Full-scale investigations are expected to begin around October, after investigators have been assigned.
During the meeting, Standing Commissioner Jang Young-soo commented on investigations into overseas adoption-related human rights violations:
"This is an area that is particularly difficult to address properly. If we apply the same standards used in court proceedings to incidents that occurred decades ago, there will be very few cases that can be substantiated. On the other hand, it would also be unreasonable to recognize every application simply because it has been filed. We need to find an appropriate balance."
He added:
"The greatest challenge is determining how to conduct the kind of in-depth investigations that have never been attempted before. Since conducting field investigations overseas is not easy, we are considering ways to work through cooperation networks with civil society organizations, but there is still a long way to go."
Regarding how the Commission intends to conduct its work, Chair Song Sang-kyo stated:
"Based on mutual trust among the commissioners, I will seek consensus toward our shared goal of resolving historical injustices. Where opinions are sharply divided, I will avoid making hasty decisions based solely on majority vote."
He further emphasized:
"Because the Truth and Reconciliation Commission deals with victims of past state violence, sensitivity to human rights is more important here than in almost any other institution. Every word we say and every action we take can either provide great comfort to victims or become a form of secondary victimization that reopens old wounds.”
Source: Newsis (조성하 기자 / Reporter Cho Seong-ha)
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Related:
Paperslip links related to submitting your case INDEPENDENTLY to TRC 3.
*Please note that certain “Korean Rights” groups which are acting as representatives for Adoptees for TRC 2 and TRC 3 have blocked and ghosted MANY Korean Adoptees with active TRC cases — after collecting their sensitive, private adoption documents and having Adoptees sign over Power of Attorney.
Please know that you can file your TRC 3 case INDEPENDENTLY of any groups!
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UPDATE — July 5th, 2026:
The YNA Article below is about the same topic as the Newsis Article above.
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YNA Article:
“Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission Holds First Meeting; Establishes Three Subcommittees for Truth-Finding.”
Published in Korean by YNA on July 3rd, 2026.
English Translation via ChatGPT posted to Paperslip on July 5th, 2026.
BOLDS and blue highlighting ours.
See original Korean article (linked above) for photos.
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Published: July 3, 2026, 4:57 p.m.
By Yang Soo-yeon
(Seoul = Yonhap News) The Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission held its first plenary meeting on July 3 at the Namsan Square Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, officially beginning its work.
At the inaugural meeting, the Commission approved the establishment of its subcommittees.
The First Subcommittee, chaired by Standing Commissioner Kim Gui-ok, will handle cases involving the anti-Japanese independence movement during the Japanese colonial period, the history of overseas Koreans, and civilian massacres during the Korean War. Its members are Non-standing Commissioners Park Gu-byeong, Lee Hyun-joo, and Lee Dong-wook.
The Second Subcommittee, chaired by Standing Commissioner Lee Ho-jung, will investigate human rights violations resulting from unlawful exercises of state power up to the period when the National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established. Its members are Non-standing Commissioners Jeong Won-ok, Kim Woong-gi, and Park Rae-gun.
The Third Subcommittee will handle overseas adoption cases and human rights violations in institutional confinement facilities, which constitute the largest category of applications received by the Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It will be chaired by Standing Commissioner Jang Young-soo, with Non-standing Commissioners Kim Jeong-ha, Kim Young-joo, and Choi Chang-ho serving as members.