“Court-martial death sentences, gender violence… there’s so much to investigate ex officio” [Hello TRC 3]

South Korea's 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has officially commenced its work, holding its first full committee meeting four months after its inauguration. The commission, tasked with investigating historical injustices, aims to bring closure to victims and their families by clarifying facts surrounding past human rights violations.

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There is so much to investigate ex officio, including court-martial executions and gender-based violence.

Kim Gwi-ok, a standing committee member and historian specializing in the Korean War, expressed enthusiasm for the commission's mission. Despite a potential reduction in the number of investigators compared to the previous term, Kim emphasized the substantial workload ahead, including over 5,000 submitted cases and the need to address cases suspended by the 2nd TRC. She noted that many cases, particularly those involving civilian deaths during the Korean War, require thorough investigation, including potential ex officio investigations initiated by the commission itself.

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We must distinguish between right and wrong not through the lens of ideology, but from the perspective of civilians who struggled to survive.

Kim stressed the importance of viewing the Korean War not solely through an ideological lens but from the perspective of civilians who struggled for survival. She asserted that ultimate responsibility for wartime atrocities lies with the state that failed to prevent the conflict, regardless of whether the perpetrators were South Korean or North Korean forces. The commission also plans to implement psychological counseling for both applicants and investigators to address the trauma associated with revisiting painful historical events.

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The ultimate responsibility lies with the state that failed to prevent the war, regardless of whether the perpetrators were South Korean military and police or enemy forces.