hankyoreh

Kim Kwang-dong, the chairperson of Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is sworn in as he appears before the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee for a parliamentary inspection on Oct. 13. (Kim Bong-gyu/The Hankyoreh)

During a parliamentary inspection, the chairperson of Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission reaffirmed a statement he made during a meeting with bereaved family members of victims of civilian massacres during the Korean War in which he claimed that individuals may be killed without trial in times of war.

When asked whether he made such a statement by independent lawmaker Lee Sung-man during the annual parliamentary inspection of the state-run truth commission by the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee on Friday afternoon, Kim Kwang-dong answered that he “clearly made a remark to that effect.”

When Lee followed up by asking whether those who were subjected to summary executions shouldn’t be considered victims as they could have caused casualties, Kim responded, “No. Perpetrators who joined hostile forces and committed arson and murder could be summarily convicted at the time.” In effect, Kim suggested that those suspected of treason could be executed all the while making an inaccurate statement, seemingly making a distinction among civilian victims.

Lee then argued that the issue is not for Kim to decide but one that should be judged through sufficient investigation and objective verification, to which Kim said the matter is under “comprehensive review.” Afterward, Lee called Kim a “chairperson of falsehood and division” and cautioned him to watch his language, adding that Kim should immediately resign if he thinks civilian victims should not be compensated.

Kim’s remark is not only a complete reversal of the conclusion the Truth and Reconciliation Commission reached regarding the execution of members of the National Bodo League, individuals awaiting arrest, and suspects of treason during the Korean War that characterized the killings “clear criminal acts” despite having taken place during wartime but also a blatant defense of illegal acts that violated not just martial law of the time period but also values stipulated by the South Korean Constitution. Although Kim stated that summary executions were possible, such acts were illegal even within the military at the time, which means Kim told a straight-faced lie before the National Assembly.

A legal professional who previously served as a Supreme Court justice asked why war trials and international law would exist if Kim’s statement is true, pointing out that it doesn’t even deserve criticism as it assumes governments are above the law. An official with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission echoed this, commenting, “Kim appears to have decided not to care about attacks based on his own words.”

The fact that Kim has been mobilizing prosecutors and police officers to prepare for an internal audit also came up during the inspection. Lee pressed Kim, asking why he has been preparing for an audit with dispatched prosecutors and police when an inspection could be requested through the Audit and Inspection Division within the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Lee also questioned why Kim has been mobilizing external manpower to set up an audit without even an audit plan, especially during the parliamentary inspection period. Kim simply answered that he has been making preparations for a “regular audit that takes place every two years.”

As a matter of fact, dispatched prosecutors and police officers began conducting an international audit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Monday. On Friday, the commission posted an internal notice revealing that the meeting room on the sixth floor of its building will be utilized as an audit room until Dec. 22. Insiders of the commission are reportedly flabbergasted by an audit by prosecutors and police.

“Audits and investigations are different. Investigations are carried out when charges have been brought to light,” commented an investigator of the commission. “This is a declaration that internal discipline will be tightened through an investigation in order to dispirit staff including investigators.”

By Koh Kyoung-tae, senior staff writer

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