Truth and Reconciliation Commission Conducts Extensive Investigations into Brotherly Home, Samcheong Education Camp, Abducted Returning Fishermen, and Victims' Families Suppression

Victims of State Violence Exposed to Illegal Detention and Assault
Under Surveillance and Inspection by Intelligence Agencies Even After Release
"State Apology and Measures for Compensation and Restoration of Honor Needed"

Kim Kwang-dong, Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) has uncovered a large number of truths about victims who suffered from state violence, including the Hyeongjebokjiwon incident, Samcheong Education Camp, abducted and returned fishermen, and the oppression of the Korean War massacre victims' families association.

On the 9th, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced that it held its 51st plenary session on the 7th at the Namsan Square Building in Jung-gu, Seoul. Through the plenary session, the Commission decided to investigate the truth of incidents such as Hyeongjebokjiwon, Samcheong Education Camp, abducted and returned fishermen, and the oppression of the May 16 Coup massacre victims' families association.

The Commission additionally identified 146 victims of Hyeongjebokjiwon. These individuals were confirmed to have suffered human rights abuses at Hyeongjebokjiwon, a forced detention center for vagrants located in Busan during the 1970s and 1980s. Furthermore, the Commission uncovered new materials showing that the Central Intelligence Agency had overlooked criminal facts related to Hyeongjebokjiwon. Meanwhile, after efforts by the responsible investigators and related administrative agencies, a victim who lost family due to detention at Hyeongjebokjiwon was reunited with his mother after 48 years.

The truth about the Samcheong Education Camp incident was also revealed. The Samcheong Education Camp incident refers to the event in 1980 when, under the command of the Martial Law Command, soldiers and police arrested about 60,000 people, and among them, about 40,000 underwent re-education, labor service, and protective custody, during which human rights violations occurred. The Commission stated that through this truth investigation, it discovered the reality of the "Student Samcheong Education Camp," where about 60 students were admitted. Students were taken to the camp during class hours but were not marked absent due to orders from higher authorities, and records were not thoroughly kept. Additionally, even after leaving the camp, the police continuously monitored the students, and victims reportedly suffered social discrimination and severe trauma. The Commission explained that it identified 111 additional victims through this investigation.

The abducted and returned fishermen incident was also uncovered. This is the first time the truth about the abducted and returned fishermen has been investigated. The incident refers to the case where 23 vessels, including the "Daeyangho," and 150 fishermen fishing in the East Sea from October 30 to November 8, 1968, were abducted by North Korean patrol boats and later returned, but the investigative agencies conducted illegal investigations involving unlawful detention and harsh treatment. They were punished for violating the Anti-Communist Law and Fisheries Law after the investigation.

According to the investigation, the returned crew members underwent joint interrogations and investigations by the local police stations and prosecutors and were criminally punished. Most fishermen were detained without warrants from their return on May 28, 1969, until the execution of arrest warrants. It was also confirmed that the fishermen’s relatives were continuously monitored by investigative agencies and suffered human rights violations such as employment and movement restrictions. Moreover, the abducted and returned fishermen were used several times in covert operations against North Korea.

The oppression of the Korean War massacre victims' families association immediately after the May 16 Coup was also revealed. This incident refers to the simultaneous detention without warrants of representatives from 18 political parties and social organizations, including the nationwide massacre victims' families association, by the Counterintelligence Unit under orders from the Military Revolutionary Committee after the May 16, 1961 coup. The massacre victims' families association was formed to clarify the circumstances under which family members and relatives were unjustly killed by the military and police during the Korean War. According to the Commission’s investigation, the joint military, prosecution, and police investigation headquarters preliminarily detained a total of 3,281 people, among whom 188 were related to the massacre victims' families association.

The Commission stated that excluding duplicate applications, the total number of subjects for truth investigation in the massacre victims' families association oppression case is 31. These individuals were detained without warrants for a considerable period, some suffered harsh treatment during investigations, and even after release, they were continuously surveilled and monitored by intelligence agencies, severely violating their human rights.

Kim Kwang-dong, Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said, "Through this truth investigation, I hope that the wounds of victims and bereaved families who have suffered and been discriminated against will be healed even a little." He added, "Along with the state's apology to the victims and bereaved families whose truths have been uncovered, measures to restore damages and honor are necessary."