Additional Release of Declassified US Documents on '5.18 Gwangju': Will It Catalyze Truth Investigation?

USA Fully Discloses Deleted Content from Past Documents... Truth Investigation Committee Fully Launched
General Public Release Expected on 40th Anniversary of '5·18 Minju화 Movement'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The United States has delivered additional declassified documents related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising to the South Korean government. While some parts of these documents had been previously declassified with certain sections redacted, the U.S. has now fully disclosed the remaining portions. With the investigative committee, established 15 months after the enactment of the Special Act on the Truth Commission for the May 18 Democratic Uprising, now fully operational, there is keen interest in whether these newly declassified documents will accelerate the investigation.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 13th, the U.S. provided the South Korean side with copies of 43 records totaling 140 pages on the 11th local time. This comes six months after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially requested the U.S. to declassify original diplomatic documents related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, following opinions from civic groups demanding the disclosure of the original documents last November.

Civic organizations related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, including the May 18 Memorial Foundation, the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Detained and Injured Association, have long demanded the transfer of original documents, citing omissions or deletions in some of the previously released U.S. classified documents. Minister Kang Kyung-wha also stated during the National Assembly audit in October last year that she would respond to ensure that the materials desired by the government, based on consultations with civilian experts, would be provided.

The documents delivered to South Korea this time are all U.S. Department of State documents, including those produced by the U.S. Embassy in Korea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that while some parts had been redacted in previous declassifications, these documents have now been fully disclosed. Ministry spokesperson Kim In-chul said at a regular briefing, “It appears that new documents are included,” adding, “Some parts of previously released documents that had been deleted seem to have been declassified.”

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to review the records provided by the U.S. with relevant ministries and experts from related organizations before making them public. It is also reported that further consultations with the U.S. will be conducted based on the review results. A Ministry official explained, “We need to analyze with related agencies and set a policy,” adding, “The principle is to disclose, but we cannot make a definitive statement about full disclosure yet.”

There is interest in whether the 140-page classified documents received from the U.S. will serve as a new catalyst for the May 18 Truth Commission, which has recently begun full-scale activities. If the previously undisclosed parts contain key content, there is a possibility that related circumstances could be confirmed as facts. Despite nine efforts to uncover the truth, including the 1988 Gwangju hearings and the 1995 prosecution investigation, many incidents remain unresolved. Some speculate that the documents might be publicly released around the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising on the 18th, following expert review.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, “The government will continue to consult with the U.S. to facilitate further disclosure of U.S. records related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising,” and added, “The government appreciates the U.S. cooperation in this additional declassification, based on the spirit of the ROK-U.S. alliance that shares core values such as human rights and democracy.”