Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Jeonnam Province Cooperate to Uncover Civilian Damage Truth

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeong Geunsik, Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the Past, and Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, pledged cooperation for activities to uncover the truth about past incidents.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, Chairman Jeong and Governor Kim met at the Jeonnam Provincial Office to discuss cooperation plans for applications for truth verification and on-site investigations of past incidents. They also agreed to establish a cooperative system during the transfer of the Yeo-Sun Incident cases received by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to the Yeo-Sun Incident Committee.

The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission, relaunched in December 2020, had received 15,698 applications for truth verification as of the end of July. Among these, civilian mass casualty incidents around the Korean War accounted for the largest portion with 11,531 cases.

In particular, the number of civilian mass casualty cases related to the Korean War in the Jeonnam region is 5,515. This accounts for nearly half of all civilian casualty cases related to the Korean War, and currently, 3,735 cases are under investigation.

Looking at the reception status in major Jeonnam areas, Yeongam has 840 cases, Shinan 612 cases, Yeonggwang 502 cases, and Hampyeong 477 cases, accounting for 44% of the cases in the Jeonnam region.

Additionally, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has received a total of 1,017 cases related to the Yeo-Sun Incident. Following the enactment and enforcement of the Yeo-Sun Incident Act, 693 cases were transferred to the Yeo-Sun Incident Committee in the first phase in June, with further transfers ongoing sequentially.

During the meeting, Chairman Jeong and Governor Kim pledged active cooperation on close collaboration between the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Jeonnam Province for uncovering the truth about past incidents. They also discussed strengthening publicity for truth verification applications and cooperation for on-site investigations in areas such as Shinan, Jindo, Haenam, and Yeongam.

Chairman Jeong said, “Jeonnam is the region where the most civilian casualties occurred around the outbreak of the Korean War, and I appreciate Jeonnam Province’s active cooperation so far,” adding, “I ask for extensive publicity and investigation cooperation until the application deadline for past incident truth verification cases.”

In response, Governor Kim said, “At the beginning of this year, we formed a Yeo-Sun Incident working committee and are promoting reporting, fact-finding investigations, and memorial projects,” and added, “Jeonnam Province will actively cooperate with the investigation using media outlets to ensure no applications are missed by the deadline of December 9.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission made decisions on truth verification for civilian casualty incidents caused by military and police forces in Jindo and Hwasun in May and June, respectively, recommending the state apologize to the bereaved families and take measures for honor restoration, memorials, reconciliation, and correction of records.

In April, the Commission decided to conduct an ex officio investigation into the ‘Jeonnam Shinan-gun Civilian Casualty Incident,’ where numerous civilian mass casualties occurred due to military and police forces and hostile elements.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Shinan-gun, Jeonnam, to conduct joint investigations into the Shinan-gun incident. Additionally, as a joint project with local governments, oral history recording projects for applicants and witnesses are underway in Haenam, Yeongam, Hampyeong, Wando, and Shinan.

Before the meeting, Chairman Jeong held a press conference in the Jeonnam region to explain the investigation status and future plans for local cases and requested extensive cooperation from Jeonnam residents and the media for applications for truth verification of past incidents.

Meanwhile, on the following day, the 3rd, Chairman Jeong will attend the memorial ceremony for the ‘Iyapo Bombing Incident’ officially held by the local government of Yeosu City in Yeosu Ando for the first time in 72 years.

The Iyapo Bombing Incident is a case partially uncovered by the 1st Truth and Reconciliation Commission. On August 3, 1950, about 150 refugees were killed by bombing from U.S. military fighter planes in Iyapo.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an independent investigative body that investigates cases including ▲anti-Japanese independence movements ▲overseas compatriot history ▲civilian mass casualty incidents around the Korean War ▲human rights violations and fabrication suspicions during authoritarian rule ▲casualty incidents caused by hostile forces ▲and other historically significant cases recognized by the Commission as requiring truth verification.

As of the end of July 2022, the number of truth verification applications received by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is 15,698, with 17,594 applicants. The application deadline is December 9 of this year.

Applications can be submitted by mail or in person at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, city/provincial offices, district offices, or overseas diplomatic missions. Victims, bereaved families, relatives, witnesses, or those who have heard about the incidents can apply. Application forms can be downloaded from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s website.