The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has decided to investigate the truth behind six human rights violation cases.
On the 23rd, the TRC announced at its 89th meeting held at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, that it had decided to investigate the truth regarding the 'Anti-Communist Law violation human rights violation case' and others.
The Anti-Communist Law violation human rights violation case involved the late Ha Mo, who cultivated a small farm and operated a small rice mill in Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. He was arrested by the police on charges of praising North Korea while drinking with village residents and was punished for violating the Anti-Communist Law.
According to the TRC investigation, Ha was illegally detained at the Hadong Police Station for at least nine days from June 10 to June 18, 1976, after being taken by police officers. It was confirmed that during the investigation, he was forced to give statements through beatings, torture, and harsh treatment.
The TRC also decided to investigate the truth regarding the 'March 15 Uprising Protest Participation Confirmation Case,' in which numerous casualties and human rights violations occurred due to shootings by police and other authorities, as well as assaults, detention, and torture of protest participants.
Applicants including Kim Mo and nine others were students at Masan High School during the March 15 Uprising. They were individually involved in protests against rigged elections on March 15, 1960, and in protests following the discovery of martyr Kim Ju-yeol’s body on April 11, 1960, or participated in student group protests. The TRC stated that the applicants gave specific and consistent testimonies about their participation in the protests during interviews, and witness statements confirmed their involvement.
Investigations were also conducted into human rights violation cases under the 1980 emergency martial law by the police, illegal detention of civilians by the Army Security Command, human rights violations against Ulsan National Guidance Alliance members, and human rights violations involving fishermen Geum Yong-ho and Shin Young-ho who were abducted and returned.
The TRC apologized for the serious human rights violations caused by the unlawful exercise of state authority and recommended measures such as retrials in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act to restore the honor of those subject to truth investigation.
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