In a recent report, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee highlighted the ongoing struggles of victims of the 10·28 Incident at Kunkuk University, which occurred in 1986. This incident saw police violently suppress a student rally intended to resist foreign influence and dictatorship, resulting in 1,525 arrests, the largest from a single event in South Korea's history. Even after 40 years, the trauma and repercussions of this harsh crackdown remain, as many former students suffer from severe depression and PTSD, with some, like activist Kwon Hyun-jung, taking their own lives due to the lingering psychological effects.

Last year, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recognized the 10·28 Incident for its potential to reveal truths surrounding state crimes, foreshadowing an official apology and victim reparations from the government. However, as the 40th anniversary approaches, no significant actions or apologies have been offered by the authorities, leading advocates to voice their frustration and division between the recommendations of the commission and the lack of governmental response. With only 50.3% compliance with the recommendations from the commission's second phase, lawmakers and activists worry that victims continue to be left in suffering without redress.

Data obtained by Representative Yoon Hye-in shows that the implementation rate of the second-term commission's recommendations is disappointingly low compared to its predecessor, which had a compliance rate of over 87%. This ineffectiveness is attributed to the lack of mandatory enforcement and the autonomous structure of each governmental agency, which complicates proper adherence to the commission’s decisions. As the nation reflects on the tragic events of 1986, there are calls for urgent government action to provide justice for the victims and address the injustices of past state violence.