Song Sang-kyu officially began his role as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, committing to an open and supportive environment for victims.
Song Sang-kyu has commenced duty as the new chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Korea, just days after its establishment. During the inauguration ceremony attended by victims and their families, he vowed to create a committee that is open to victims, emphasizing the necessity of respecting their dignity and restoring their honor. He stressed the importance of listening to victims throughout all stages of the process, aiming to ensure their human rights and recovery are prioritized.
Referencing his previous tenure as secretary-general in the second commission, Song expressed mixed feelings about the commission's previous efforts, noting that while 12,900 out of 20,900 cases were addressed, the results in relation to the total number of identified victims remained unsatisfactory. He acknowledged the challenges faced due to differing historical interpretations and controversies surrounding bias, which have hindered the progression of truth-finding initiatives within the commission.
One major point of concern for the new commission involves the establishment of a third investigative division, which was not formed due to tight timelines following the law's passage. Song promised to quickly establish a robust investigative framework as part of the commission's focus on addressing new challenges. The basic law that underpins the commission’s establishment also expands the scope to include private adoption agencies and collective facilities, further necessitating dedicated organizational support, which Song intends to prioritize in his agenda.
