National Truth Investigation 40 Years After Closure
Gyeonggi-do Promotes Victim Life Support
The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) concluded on the 20th that the ‘Seongam Academy Incident,’ a representative case of child rights violations, was a serious human rights violation by public authority and recommended an apology from the state, Gyeonggi Province, and other related institutions.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced this at a press conference titled ‘Seongam Academy Child Rights Violation Incident Truth Investigation Decision’ held at 10 a.m. on the same day at Namsan Square Building in Jung-gu, Seoul. This is the first national-level truth investigation conducted 40 years after Seongam Academy was closed in 1982.
From the 26th of last month, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission conducted a trial excavation for five days at a burial site on Seongam Island, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province, and discovered 68 teeth and 6 buttons believed to belong to the academy’s residents. This site was pointed out as a mass burial site by many of the 190 surviving victims who applied for truth investigation to the commission in December 2020.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission also secured Seongam Academy’s living records and confirmed an additional five child victims who died. The existing Seongam Academy register recorded a total of 24 deaths. Analyzing the reasons for discharge of 4,689 residents listed in this register revealed that 824, or 17.8% of the total, had ‘escaped.’ Considering the buried remains confirmed in this excavation and more than 800 escapees, the commission believes the actual number of deaths is likely higher.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended that government ministries such as the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Health and Welfare, which established measures against vagrants and led indiscriminate crackdowns at the time, the police, and Gyeonggi Province, which operated Seongam Academy, bear full responsibility for the human rights violations and officially apologize to the victims and their families.
Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who attended the press conference, said, “Although Seongam Academy closed and disappeared 40 years ago, I offer my deep apologies and condolences to the victims and bereaved families who suffered great pain due to state violence.” He added, “I mourn the souls of the victims who passed away unjustly and offer my sincere prayers for their peace,” and stated, “We will do our best to support the healing of victims’ wounds and the restoration of their honor.” Gyeonggi Province announced plans to promote ▲support for victims’ livelihoods ▲trauma relief and medical service support for victims ▲memorial and commemorative projects for the victims.
Gyeonggi Province had established the ‘Ordinance on Support for Victims of the Seongam Academy Incident and Others,’ but it was not properly implemented. Although various support measures were included in the ordinance, only a medical support project for 4,691 victims was carried out, with no other support provided. After the truth investigation decision, Gyeonggi Province stated it would provide various supports.
At the National Assembly, a special law for compensation and support for victims of Seongam Academy has not been prepared. During the 20th National Assembly, a special law was proposed, but there has been not a single case in the 21st National Assembly. On this day, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended, “The National Assembly should prepare measures such as enacting a special law to restore the wounds and honor of the victims.”
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