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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

New investigators join South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Two new investigators, both 30-year-old history graduates, have joined the 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Korea.
  • The TRC is tasked with investigating past human rights abuses and historical injustices.
  • The new investigators aim to provide comfort to victims and contribute to systemic change through their work.
  • The article highlights the generational shift within the TRC, with younger investigators bringing fresh perspectives.

The 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Korea has welcomed two new investigators, both 30-year-old history graduates, who are set to play a crucial role in uncovering past injustices. Pyo Ji-young and Kim Hae-in, born in 1996, represent a younger cohort joining the commission, bridging the gap between the Millennial and Generation Z demographics.

I felt my senior investigator's sincerity today.

— Pyo Ji-youngSharing her feelings after a training session with new investigators.

Both Pyo and Kim bring academic backgrounds in history, with Pyo holding a doctorate in political science focusing on the state's governance through categories like 'orphans.' Her research delves into how national policies and power structures are embedded in the history of Korean orphans and overseas adoptions. Kim, who previously worked at the Lee Han-yeol Memorial Museum and the Yeosu-Suncheon 10.19 Incident Truth Commission, gained experience in processing historical records and understanding the procedures for truth-finding and honor restoration for victims of state violence.

It resonated with me that beyond individual victims' truth-finding, we must lay the groundwork to change the system that was unlawful.

— Kim Hae-inExpressing her motivation for joining the TRC.

Upon joining the TRC, Pyo has been reclassifying 311 overseas adoption cases that were suspended during the previous commission's term. She will transition to the newly formed Investigation Bureau 3, which will focus on institutional facilities and overseas adoptions. Kim has been reviewing and classifying documents related to the 1980s Samcheong Re-education Camp and human rights violations from the 1950s, cases that were also suspended by the previous commission.

I want to be an investigator who can bring warmth and reassurance to the victims.

— Kim Hae-inStating her aspiration as an investigator.

Reflecting on their motivations, Pyo expressed a sense of duty after documenting the stories of war orphans, feeling that she could not simply listen and record without taking further action. Kim aims to be an investigator who can offer warmth and reassurance to victims, encouraging more people to inquire about past events from their parents and grandparents. They both aspire to be 'harmless' individuals, creating a comfortable environment for victims to share their stories, and to ensure that the TRC's pursuit of truth is built on a foundation of trust, comparing it to a "rock hitting a hard-boiled egg in liquid nitrogen."

I want to be a person who makes them feel comfortable to tell their stories, rather than making them feel tense.

— Pyo Ji-youngDescribing her desired approach to interacting with victims.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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