Kim Dong-yeon: "How Is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Seongam Academy Solution Different from the Yoon Government's Forced Labor Compensation Plan?"

A post by Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, on his SNS on the 14th

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon strongly condemned the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's solution for the 'human rights violations at Seongam Academy' and questioned how it differs from the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's forced labor compensation plan.

On the 14th, Governor Kim stated on his social media (SNS), "The 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission' says it will support Gyeonggi Province's project to excavate remains at Seongam Academy," adding, "Gyeonggi Province immediately rejected this."

He continued, "'Seongam Academy' represents 'state violence' that began during the Japanese colonial period and continued through the military regime," asserting, "Thousands of boys were stigmatized as delinquents, subjected to forced labor and human rights abuses by the state, and there has been no acknowledgment of responsibility or sincere apology from the government, which remains the perpetrator."

He advised, "Without a sincere apology, there can be no true reconciliation and consolation," and cautioned, "Ending things quickly is not necessarily the best approach."

Furthermore, he criticized, "Grandmother Yang Geum-deok, a victim of forced labor, said 'the enemy is not the country but the government,' which is because our government is complicit in dismissing Japan's apology and compensation as the perpetrator," adding, "In that regard, the 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission' is mistaken."

He emphasized, "It is the duty of the 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission' to have the government first officially apologize regarding Seongam Academy and take responsible measures, including the excavation of remains," and added, "Gyeonggi Province will fulfill its responsibilities and await responsible actions from the central government."

The Seongam Academy incident involved the violation of human rights such as forced labor, beatings, malnutrition, and harsh treatment of over 4,700 boys under the pretext of reforming delinquents from 1942 to 1982 during the Japanese colonial period, in accordance with national policy.

In October of last year, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded that the incident constituted 'child human rights violations by public authority' and recommended official apologies and support measures for victims from Gyeonggi Province, which operated Seongam Academy, and the state, which implemented the illegal delinquent policy.

Accordingly, this year, the province allocated a budget of 1.42 billion KRW for victim support measures related to the Seongam Academy incident, including consolation payments to victims, medical expense reimbursements, installation of a memorial monument, and support for memorial cultural events.