President Lee Jae-myung met with victims of state violence on August 7, stating, "As President, I will bear the heavy responsibility to ensure that no further state violence occurs in our Republic of Korea, and that not a single innocent victim emerges again."
During a luncheon at the Blue House to mark the launch of the third phase of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, President Lee expressed, "I feel a deep sense of responsibility as President for the fact that the state has not adequately responded to the urgent questions of the victims."
About 70 victims, who suffered from unjust state violence without proper restoration measures, attended the luncheon.
President Lee reflected, "The modern history of Korea is one of remarkable growth and development, but it is also a history marked by state violence and human rights violations that have deeply scarred our people."
He recalled, "During the Korean War, countless citizens were brutally sacrificed, and in the era of authoritarianism, the state suppressed the freedoms and rights of citizens and students who demanded democracy. Many citizens' lives were trampled by excessive state power, as seen in forced conscription, surveillance, and the dismissal of teachers from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union."
He added, "Human rights abuses by state power, such as the Samcheong Education Center and the Seosan Development Corps incidents, as well as illegal detention, torture, and cruel treatment by state agencies in cases like the Sabuk incident and the abduction and return of fishermen, were perpetrated countless times."
President Lee noted, "These wounds do not remain confined to their time; the pain has been passed down through generations," and reiterated his deep sense of responsibility for the state's failure to adequately respond to the victims' urgent questions.
He emphasized, "We can no longer pass the long-standing task of addressing past injustices to the next generation. The state will take responsibility for healing," and promised to add a third investigative body to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to thoroughly investigate human rights violations in collective facilities like the Hyunjae Welfare Center and the Deokseongwon, as well as cases of forced adoption abroad.
Additionally, he stated, "We will also address the limitations of the previous investigation methods that relied on victims' applications and will actively conduct investigations by reaching out to victims first."
In closing, President Lee offered his heartfelt condolences and apologies to all victims of state violence that occurred on this land since liberation.
Song Sang-kyo, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, remarked, "The President has brought together victims of state violence for the first time as a representative of the state to offer comfort and apologies. This will serve as a historic milestone for the restoration of victims' honor," and added, "The third phase of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will strive to fulfill its mission with a sense of urgency as this is the last opportunity for a complete resolution of past injustices."
During a luncheon at the Blue House to mark the launch of the third phase of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, President Lee expressed, "I feel a deep sense of responsibility as President for the fact that the state has not adequately responded to the urgent questions of the victims."
About 70 victims, who suffered from unjust state violence without proper restoration measures, attended the luncheon.
President Lee reflected, "The modern history of Korea is one of remarkable growth and development, but it is also a history marked by state violence and human rights violations that have deeply scarred our people."
He recalled, "During the Korean War, countless citizens were brutally sacrificed, and in the era of authoritarianism, the state suppressed the freedoms and rights of citizens and students who demanded democracy. Many citizens' lives were trampled by excessive state power, as seen in forced conscription, surveillance, and the dismissal of teachers from the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union."
He added, "Human rights abuses by state power, such as the Samcheong Education Center and the Seosan Development Corps incidents, as well as illegal detention, torture, and cruel treatment by state agencies in cases like the Sabuk incident and the abduction and return of fishermen, were perpetrated countless times."
President Lee noted, "These wounds do not remain confined to their time; the pain has been passed down through generations," and reiterated his deep sense of responsibility for the state's failure to adequately respond to the victims' urgent questions.
He emphasized, "We can no longer pass the long-standing task of addressing past injustices to the next generation. The state will take responsibility for healing," and promised to add a third investigative body to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to thoroughly investigate human rights violations in collective facilities like the Hyunjae Welfare Center and the Deokseongwon, as well as cases of forced adoption abroad.
Additionally, he stated, "We will also address the limitations of the previous investigation methods that relied on victims' applications and will actively conduct investigations by reaching out to victims first."
In closing, President Lee offered his heartfelt condolences and apologies to all victims of state violence that occurred on this land since liberation.
Song Sang-kyo, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, remarked, "The President has brought together victims of state violence for the first time as a representative of the state to offer comfort and apologies. This will serve as a historic milestone for the restoration of victims' honor," and added, "The third phase of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will strive to fulfill its mission with a sense of urgency as this is the last opportunity for a complete resolution of past injustices."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.