Truth and Reconciliation Commission Uncovers Truth Behind Christian Victim Incidents in Jeonnam Region

Recommendations Including Calls for Apology from the North Korean Regime

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has decided to investigate the truth regarding Christian victim incidents in the Jeonnam region.

Martyrdom Memorial Monument for Deacon Heo Sang-yong, erected in 1973 at Yeosu Gunnae Church (currently Dolsan-eup Jeil Church)
[Photo provided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission]

On the 25th, the TRC announced at its 87th meeting held at the Seoul Jung-gu office that it had decided to investigate the truth of the Christian victim incidents in the Jeonnam region among the "Religious victim incidents caused by hostile forces before and after the Korean War," and recommended follow-up measures to the government and related ministries.

This decision marks the second truth investigation by the TRC into Christian victim incidents in Jeonnam, conducted ex officio. The TRC decided to investigate the truth concerning 38 Christians from 18 churches across eight areas in Jeonnam: Yeosu, Gurye, Suncheon, Muan, Hampyeong, Gokseong, Jindo, and Goheung.

The Christian victim incidents occurred over approximately five months from July to December 1950 in eight areas including Yeosu, Jeonnam. The victims were targeted because they were Christians who were involved in right-wing activities or were perceived as pro-American forces.

The TRC recommended that the government take follow-up actions such as urging an apology from the North Korean regime, supporting victim restoration and memorial projects, and strengthening peace and human rights education.

Meanwhile, the TRC also decided to investigate the truth of victim incidents caused by hostile forces in Sinan-gun, Jeonnam, and Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk. These incidents occurred between 1949 and 1950, around the outbreak of the Korean War, where residents of Jaeun-myeon in Sinan-gun, Jeonnam, and Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, were victimized by hostile forces because they were family members of military or police personnel or were uncooperative with partisans.