2) Truth Investigation of the State Violence Cases and Future Tasks
A) Truth-Finding Decision on Major State Violence Cases and the Rulings on the
Claims for State Compensation
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred
to as the “TRCK”) made a decision to determine the truth about the ‘Brothers Home’ case25)
and the ‘Seongam Hagwon’ case,26) acknowledging the damage caused by human rights
violations in August and October of 2022, respectively. Regarding the Brothers Home case,
it was confirmed that the state did not fulfill its management and supervision duties, and the
case was reduced or distorted, and it was recommended to overhaul the budget, regulations,
and organization of the city of Busan for the state's official apology, damage recovery,
damage investigation, and support work.27) As for the Seongam Hagwon case, it was
acknowledged that 167 applicants were forcibly confined without legal procedures and the
children's rights were violated.28)
The Brothers Home victim groups demanded an apology from the state, compensation and
prevention of recurrence,29) and the Prime Minister expressed the view that it is proper for
the state to fulfill its responsibilities for a thorough investigation of the truth and restoration
of the honor of the victims at the National Assembly on September 19.30) Moreover, on
October 20, the Governor of Gyeonggi-do attended a press conference announcing the
truth-finding decision of the TRCK and announced that he would make an official apology
to the victims and their bereaved families of the Seongam Hagwon case, and prepare
comprehensive measures, including support for living and medical services for the victims.
25) Case in which human rights violations such as violence, intimidation, confinement, forced labor, and abuse of
disabled people and orphans found on the streets were forcibly confined to Brothers Home in the name of leading
vagrants through direct and indirect exercise of public power, during the ‘70s and ’80s.
26) Seongam Hagwon, established in 1942 in Seongam Island, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, forcibly detained a total of 4,691
children under the pretext of reforming boys who committed or were at risk of misbehavior, since the liberation until
it was closed in 1982. The children were subjected to forced labor, violence, cruelty, sexual violence, disappearances
and deaths, etc.
27) TRCK Press Release, Aug. 24, 2022.
28) TRCK Press Release, Oct. 20, 2022.
29) Busan Ilbo, “Victims of Brothers Home Demanded an Apology from the President,” Oct. 14, 2022.
30) However, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on August 19 through explanatory materials that the
recommendations of the TRCK, which are based on related laws, will only manage the recommendations included in
the comprehensive report prepared within six months when the TRCK activities are terminated.
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