2010-12-13 19:04
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A government fact-finding panel was launched Monday on South Koreans kidnapped by North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War.
Within the four years of its legal investigation period, the truth commission will receive reports on abduction victims from their relatives and discuss ways to repatriate the survivors.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, the panel consists of 15 members, including security-related ministers, civil experts and family representatives.
Even though an investigation and related compensation have been made by the government, the panel marks the first time all related government offices will work together to deal with the kidnap issue.
There are seven lists of South Korean abductees that were published in the 1950s and ‘60s. However, they contain different figures with a lack of correct descriptions of damages.
Based on the existing data, the government estimates that more than 100,000 South Korean citizens, including some 80 lawmakers and 230 journalists, were abducted to the North during the Korean War.
Starting from early January, remaining family members can submit a request through local government offices and embassies abroad.
The panel also plans to conduct an overseas inspection in the U.S. and Russia.
“Sixty years have passed since the Korean War broke out. However, no meaningful discussion has been made over the kidnap issue,” said You Jong-ryeol, the committee’s secretary general.
“If the truth of the issue is revealed, that would be used as important data in the future when we talk with the North about identification and repatriation of the survivors,” he added.
However, it would be still difficult to figure out whether the person was abducted or voluntarily defected to the North.
North Korea has officially denied the existence of South Korean abductees, including war prisoners.
Since 2006, the South Korean government has requested the identification of 22 abductees to the North on occasions when there were family reunion events. But only two deaths have been confirmed thus far.
By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldm.com)
Within the four years of its legal investigation period, the truth commission will receive reports on abduction victims from their relatives and discuss ways to repatriate the survivors.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, the panel consists of 15 members, including security-related ministers, civil experts and family representatives.
Even though an investigation and related compensation have been made by the government, the panel marks the first time all related government offices will work together to deal with the kidnap issue.
There are seven lists of South Korean abductees that were published in the 1950s and ‘60s. However, they contain different figures with a lack of correct descriptions of damages.
Based on the existing data, the government estimates that more than 100,000 South Korean citizens, including some 80 lawmakers and 230 journalists, were abducted to the North during the Korean War.
Starting from early January, remaining family members can submit a request through local government offices and embassies abroad.
The panel also plans to conduct an overseas inspection in the U.S. and Russia.
“Sixty years have passed since the Korean War broke out. However, no meaningful discussion has been made over the kidnap issue,” said You Jong-ryeol, the committee’s secretary general.
“If the truth of the issue is revealed, that would be used as important data in the future when we talk with the North about identification and repatriation of the survivors,” he added.
However, it would be still difficult to figure out whether the person was abducted or voluntarily defected to the North.
North Korea has officially denied the existence of South Korean abductees, including war prisoners.
Since 2006, the South Korean government has requested the identification of 22 abductees to the North on occasions when there were family reunion events. But only two deaths have been confirmed thus far.
By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldm.com)
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