Newsis: “Truth and Reconciliation Commission expands by 28 staff…groundwork laid for investigations into ‘mass detention’ and ‘overseas adoption’ cases.”
Newsis Article:
“Truth and Reconciliation Commission expands by 28 staff… groundwork laid for investigations into ‘mass detention’ and ‘overseas adoption’ cases.”
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Original Korean article published on July 7th, 2026.
ChatGPT English translation posted to Paperslip on July 7th, 2026.
Thank you to a Paperslip Contributor for the link.
Please see original article for photos.
BOLDS ours.
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Reporter: Cho Seong-ha
Published: July 7, 2026, 10:54 AM
Updated: July 7, 2026, 12:05 PM
“Secretariat staff increased from 137 to 165
Third Investigation Bureau to be formally established, reflected in the third revision of enforcement decree
[Seoul = Newsis] Reporter Hwang Jun-seon — Song Sang-gyo, the newly appointed chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, delivers his inaugural address at his inauguration ceremony held at the commission’s office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on March 4. 2026.07.07. hwang@newsis.com
[Seoul = Newsis] Reporter Cho Seong-ha — The third-term Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Settlement of Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) has prepared an amendment to the enforcement decree that would increase the commission’s secretariat staff by 28 people in order to carry out its expanded truth-finding investigations.
The commission announced on the 7th that it had drafted a partial revision to the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the Settlement of Past Affairs for Truth and Reconciliation, containing these changes.
The amendment is a follow-up measure to the revision of the Framework Act on the Settlement of Past Affairs for Truth and Reconciliation enacted in February. The commission emphasized that the revision focuses on strengthening its organization and personnel so it can respond to the expanded scope of truth investigations and newly established functions.
Under the proposed amendment, the authorized staffing level of the commission’s secretariat will increase from the current 137 positions to 165, adding 28 personnel. The additional staff will consist of 22 special-service officials responsible for investigative work and six general-service officials handling specialized administrative duties such as records management, welfare, education, and veterans affairs.
Currently, the Third Investigation Bureau, which is responsible for cases involving human rights violations related to overseas adoption and mass detention facilities, is operating in the form of a task force (TF). The commission plans to formally establish the Third Investigation Bureau after the third revision of the enforcement decree in October, complete the assignment of investigators, and then begin full-scale investigations into cases.
Chairperson Song Sang-gyo said:
“This revision of the enforcement decree establishes the foundation for the third-term Truth and Reconciliation Commission to stably carry out its investigative functions in accordance with the purpose of the legal amendments. Through the future establishment of the Third Investigation Bureau, we expect to be able to investigate human rights violation cases that occurred at mass detention facilities and adoption agencies in a more systematic and professional manner.”
The revised enforcement decree will take effect immediately upon promulgation after completing the relevant procedures.”
Reporter Cho Seong-ha (create@newsis.com)