The Hankyoreh: “Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission launches first investigations after five months: ‘Priority will be given to 2,111 cases left unfinished by the second commission.’”
The Hankyoreh Article:
“Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission Begins First Investigations After Five Months: ‘Priority Given to 2,111 Cases Left Unfinished by the Second Commission.’”
Original Korean article published in The Hankyoreh on July 21st, 2026.
ChatGPT English translation posted to Paperslip on July 21st, 2026.
Some BOLDS and blue highlighting ours.
By Jang Jong-woo
Updated: July 21, 2026, 5:40 p.m.
“The Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission held a press conference on the afternoon of July 21 at its conference room on the sixth floor of Namsan Square Building in Jung-gu, Seoul. Standing Commissioner Kim Gwi-ok spoke at the event.
The Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission (officially, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Investigating the Truth of Past Incidents) has decided to launch its first investigations, approximately five months after the commission was inaugurated on February 26.
At a press conference held on July 21 at its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, the commission announced that it had approved the commencement of investigations into 2,111 cases whose investigations had been halted when the Second Truth and Reconciliation Commission completed its term. Of these, 2,101 cases will proceed to full investigation, while 10 cases will undergo preliminary review.
With this decision, the Third Commission officially begins a three-year investigative period starting today. The commission may extend its investigation period by up to two one-year extensions if necessary.
Commission Chair Song Sang-gyo stated:
"What we seek is not conflict from the past but the truth, and what we pursue is not confrontation but reconciliation. The Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission will do its utmost to ensure that Korea achieves a complete reckoning with its past and genuine reconciliation."
At the press conference, particular attention focused on the newly established Third Investigation Bureau and the Third Subcommittee. These bodies will investigate human rights violations in the overseas adoption process as well as cases involving mass institutional confinement facilities, including Seongam Academy and Brothers Home.
Following amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Truth and Reconciliation Act on July 7, which established the necessary legal framework, the commission plans to organize the Third Investigation Bureau into three divisions as early as this month.
Standing Commissioner Jang Young-soo, who chairs the Third Subcommittee, said:
"Initially, there was not even a general recognition that issues such as overseas adoption constituted human rights violations."
He acknowledged that, because so much time has passed, locating witnesses and conducting overseas field investigations will be difficult, but pledged that the commission would make every effort.
Regarding demands from many victims for a comprehensive investigation of all cases, Jang said:
"Given our budget, personnel, and time constraints, that is not realistically possible. Instead, we will make use of ex officio investigations whenever necessary."
The First Subcommittee, which investigates cases related to the anti-Japanese independence movement and civilian massacres before and during the Korean War, voted to begin investigations into several incidents, including the Yeongcheon Bodo League Massacre in North Gyeongsang Province and the Jindo Military-Police Incident in South Jeolla Province.
A major issue currently facing the commission is securing records held by government agencies, including the National Police Agency.
The commission recently obtained from the National Intelligence Service a list containing the names of approximately 26,000 people executed during the Korean War.
The First Subcommittee believes that additional relevant records are likely held by the National Police Agency and other institutions, but says cooperation in providing those materials has been limited.
Standing Commissioner Kim Gwi-ok, chair of the First Subcommittee, said:
"We will devote our full efforts to securing official records held by institutions such as the National Police Agency and the Defense Counterintelligence Command so that our investigations are as thorough as possible."
She added:
"Given the advanced age of many victims and their families, we regard this as the last opportunity and will expand the use of ex officio investigations."
The Second Subcommittee, which investigates human rights violations committed during periods of authoritarian rule, decided to begin investigations into several suspicious death cases and the October 28 Konkuk University Incident.
Under the Third Commission, the scope of investigations has been expanded from the period of the Roh Tae-woo administration to cover cases occurring up to November 25, 2001, immediately before the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. As a result, additional cases such as the 1996 Yonsei University Hanchongryon Incident are expected to be newly filed.
Standing Commissioner Lee Ho-jung, chair of the Second Subcommittee, said:
"We will not limit ourselves to individual human rights violations such as torture or unlawful detention. Instead, we will focus on uncovering the structural reality of repeated state violence."
Meanwhile, as of July 15, the Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission had received 6,347 applications requesting truth-finding investigations.
Applications may be submitted until February 25, 2028.
Chair Song added that decisions to begin investigations into newly filed third-term cases are expected to begin as early as August.”