[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) has uncovered the truth about an incident in which the South Korean military abducted North Korean civilians after the Korean War.
On the 10th, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced that it held the 38th committee meeting the previous day at the Namsan Square Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, and clarified the truth about the "Air Force Intelligence Unit North Korean Civilian Abduction Incident."
This incident refers to the abduction of three North Korean operatives who kidnapped North Korean civilians, who were middle school students, in Yeonan, Hwanghae Province, on October 10, 1956. The abducted civilians were then forced to perform unpaid labor for four years at the Air Force Intelligence Unit located in Oryu-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul. Additionally, they were interrogated by both U.S. and South Korean military personnel regarding the locations of People’s Army units and terrain information such as bridges in the Hwanghae region.
Although the applicant became a South Korean citizen, they continued to be subjected to police surveillance and monitoring. The applicant filed a lawsuit against the state seeking damages, but due to the state's lukewarm attitude and failure to secure evidence, they applied to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for truth clarification. Despite the limited objective materials due to the nature of the case, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission confirmed the facts based on the applicant’s testimony, testimonies from Intelligence Unit personnel, and by verifying compensation application records with the Ministry of National Defense’s Special Mission Performers Compensation Support Group.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission judged this matter as a serious human rights violation infringing on personal freedom and freedom of residence and movement. Accordingly, the Commission recommended appropriate measures for restoring the victim’s honor, issuing an apology, and providing opportunities for reunion with North Korean family members.
Jeong Geun-sik, Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, stated, "This incident was a tragic event that occurred during a period of intense confrontation between the South and the North," and added, "The truth clarification of the abduction of North Korean civilians by South Korea should serve as an opportunity to restore the honor of the victims and provide opportunities for family reunions."
Meanwhile, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is accepting applications for truth clarification until December 9. Applications can be submitted via the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and local government websites, or by mail or in person at overseas locations.
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