The 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission will start accepting applications for truth discovery from victims and their families beginning February 26, as announced under the revised law governing the commission.
The 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Korea is set to commence on February 26, 2024, officially opening its application process for truth discovery related to historical injustices. This new phase, undergoing significant amendments to the existing legislation, allows victims and their families to apply for recognition of suffering experienced due to human rights violations that occurred up until November 25, 2001. Notably, the application period will extend for two years until February 25, 2026, providing a comprehensive framework for addressing past grievances.
The commission now encompasses a broader range of injustices, including those caused by public authorities during the Japanese colonial period and the subsequent years leading to the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission in 2001. The scope of the TRC has been notably expanded from the previous iteration, which only covered issues up until 1993, to now include violations linked to civil welfare institutions, adoption agencies, and collective detention facilities, thereby enhancing its mandate to cover more diverse and severe cases of human rights violations.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has formed a preparatory team for the establishment of the 3rd TRC, comprising six members including senior officials. As part of this preparatory work, notable civil society activists are contributing as advisors, and President Lee Jae-myung is expected to appoint the chairperson of the commission soon. This effort indicates a robust commitment by the South Korean government to acknowledge and rectify historical injustices, thus fostering a pathway for reconciliation and healing for those affected by these past atrocities.
