The article discusses the recent dissolution of the second Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Korea and the upcoming establishment of its third iteration. This transition has been marked by an effort to spotlight previously unrecognized narratives and voices regarding historical events. A significant focus in the final part of the second commission was on the unexpected cases of overseas adoption and the Ha My massacre, incidents that, while broadly involving the South Korean government, also included foreign nationals as victims. The distinction of the victims’ nationality was pivotal in determining the outcomes of these investigations.

In the case of the Ha My massacre during the Vietnam War, five surviving victims are currently engaged in a legal struggle at the Seoul Administrative Court after their claims were rejected in earlier hearings. They intend to continue to fight for truth and justice by submitting new applications to the third commission, which underscores the continuing impact of historical traumas on individual lives. The Ha My massacre, which took place on February 24, 1968, resulted in the deaths of 135 villagers by South Korean marines and was marred by subsequent actions that further disrespected the deceased. This history of violence and its implications remain contentious in contemporary South Korean society.

The narrative includes insights from Kim Nam-joo, a lawyer representing the Ha My victims and affiliated with a broader coalition focused on Vietnam War accountability and historical truth. As the new commission prepares to take shape, the ongoing debate surrounding international adoptions and the Ha My incident reflects deep societal divisions and the quest for historical recognition and reconciliation in South Korea, which may endeavor to address these painful legacies moving forward.