Newstamin: “Truth and Reconciliation Commission Receives 4,716 Petitions in Its First 100 Days of Activity.”
Newstamin Article:
“Truth and Reconciliation Commission Receives 4,716 Petitions in Its First 100 Days of Activity.”
English translation from the original French article via ChatGPT.
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“Truth and Reconciliation Commission Receives 4,716 Petitions in Its First 100 Days of Activity
News Vitamin Reporter
June 6, 2026
The third-term Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Korea celebrated its 100th day of operation on June 5, reporting a steady influx of requests from victims, bereaved families, and interested parties seeking investigations into historical injustices.
According to the Commission, 4,716 applications for investigations were received between February 26 and June 3, 2026.
Of these, 2,724 were submitted directly to the Commission, 1,982 through local government authorities, and 10 through Korean diplomatic missions abroad. The Commission expanded access to the application process by allowing submissions through local governments and overseas diplomatic missions in addition to direct and postal applications.
By category, alleged human rights violations and fabricated criminal cases accounted for the largest share, with 1,541 applications. These were followed by cases involving:
Detention and institutional confinement facilities: 1,296
Civilian massacres: 1,094
International adoptions: 437
Cases involving hostile forces: 148
Other categories
Applications were submitted from across the country. The highest numbers came from:
Busan: 531
Gyeonggi Province: 347
South Jeolla Province: 233
South Gyeongsang Province: 143
Seoul: 133
North Gyeongsang Province: 132
Daegu: 106
International applications were received from the United States, Norway, Belgium, France, Denmark, and the Philippines.
Commission Chair Song Sang-kyo has held more than 30 meetings with organizations and stakeholders involved in international adoption cases, institutional confinement cases, and other historical justice issues. The Commission has also distributed informational materials to local governments nationwide and requested their cooperation in publicizing the application process.
“During the past 100 days since the launch of the Commission’s third term, we have continued to receive requests from victims, bereaved families, and interested parties both in Korea and abroad,” Song said. “We will listen carefully to every testimony and conduct thorough investigations based on facts and historical records in order to uncover the truth about past state violence and human rights violations.”
The Commission is currently establishing the foundation for its investigative activities. By July, it plans to complete the recruitment of 71 special-service personnel and 26 professional investigators and contract support staff. A proposal to strengthen staffing in the Third Investigation Bureau, which handles detention-facility and international-adoption cases, has also undergone interagency consultations.
Once their work begins in July, investigators will review cases that were suspended during the Commission’s second term, as well as newly submitted applications. Following the appointment of the remaining commissioners recommended by the National Assembly, the Commission is expected to hold its first plenary session to discuss the launch of investigations and the formation of subcommittees.
Applications for truth investigations will remain open until February 25, 2028. Applicants may submit requests through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, local government offices, or Korean diplomatic missions abroad. Individuals living overseas may also apply by email.”