Decision Made at the 82nd Committee Meeting
The achievements of brothers Kim Dongsu and Kim Namsu, who conducted anti-Japanese independence movements in Ganghwa County, Incheon, alongside Lee Donghui, the first Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, have been belatedly recognized.
The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) announced on the 10th that at its 82nd meeting, it made a decision to ascertain the truth regarding the anti-Japanese activities of the two individuals.
According to the investigation, on July 24, 1907, the two held a large-scale public rally in Ganghwa County with Lee Donghui to condemn Japan's annexation of the Korean Empire. Then, on July 30 of the same year, they organized a large anti-Japanese gathering called the 'Hapseong Friendship Association' at Jeondeungsa Temple in Ganghwa County, attended by about 400 Christians and retired soldiers.
Additionally, on August 9 of the same year, they were falsely accused by members of the pro-Japanese organization Iljinhoe of inciting the people as Yaso-gyoin (Christians) and were arrested during the process of identifying remaining uprising participants. Subsequently, they were executed by shooting on August 21 while being escorted.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended that the state take appropriate measures to restore the honor of the two individuals.
Kim Gwangdong, Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, stated, "The anti-Japanese activities of Kim Dongsu and Kim Namsu, which had been overshadowed by the prominent independence activist Lee Donghui, have now been clarified. We consider it meaningful to have uncovered an important historical fact."
Furthermore, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission decided to ascertain the truth regarding 106 civilian victims who were sacrificed or injured by military and police forces in parts of Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk regions before and after the Korean War, due to accusations of cooperating with leftists.
The investigation confirmed that among the 30 civilians who were victims in Samgye-myeon, Jangseong County, Jeonnam, six were children and adolescents under the age of 15.
In addition, the Commission made truth-finding decisions regarding 99 civilians who were preemptively arrested and sacrificed by military and police forces in 1950 on the grounds of being members of the National Guidance Alliance, and seven civilians who were victims of rebel forces before and after the Korean War due to being police officers, village chiefs, right-wing figures, or their family members.
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