Notice on Applying for Truth Verification under the Framework Act on the Investigation of Past Incidents for Truth and Reconciliation

To clarify incidents such as the Korean independence movement during Japanese colonial rule, the history of overseas Koreans who contributed to national development after the colonial period, mass civilian casualties unlawfully committed after liberation, and severe human rights violations or suspected fabricated cases resulting from improper exercise of public authority, and to promote national reconciliation through understanding the past, the Framework Act on the Investigation of Past Incidents for Truth and Reconciliation (hereinafter the “Act”) has been enacted and will take effect from February 26, 2026.

In accordance with Article 22 of the Act, applications for truth verification are hereby invited as follows.

February 26, 2026
Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

1. Application Period

February 26, 2026 – February 25, 2028 (excluding public holidays)

2. Scope of Truth Verification (Article 2, Paragraph 1 of the Act)

• ●Anti-Japanese independence movements carried out during the Japanese colonial period or immediately before it.

• ●History of overseas Koreans who safeguarded national sovereignty and strengthened national power from the end of the colonial period until the effective date of this Act (Act No. 7542).

• ●Unlawful mass killings, murders, injuries, disappearances, torture, or detention of civilians from August 15, 1945, until the period around the Korean War.

• ●Deaths, injuries, disappearances, torture, or detentions resulting from illegal or grossly unjust exercise of public authority from August 15, 1945, until the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, as well as other severe human rights violations or cases suspected of being fabricated.

• ●Terror, human rights abuses, violence, massacres, and suspicious deaths perpetrated by forces denying the legitimacy of the Republic of Korea or hostile to it from August 15, 1945, until the authoritarian period.

    ※ Cases for which truth verification is conducted under separate laws are excluded.

• ●Human rights violations occurring in social welfare institutions, adoption agencies, or collective facilities directly operated by the state or local governments, or supported/managed/supervised by them, from August 15, 1945, until the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission.

Exceptions:

• ●Cases that have already been concluded by a final court judgment are excluded from the Commission’s scope.

• ●However, if the Commission decides that truth verification is necessary for grounds for retrial under civil or criminal procedure law, exceptions may apply.

3. Eligibility to Apply

• ●Victims, survivors, or their bereaved families.

• ●Relatives of victims, survivors, or their families

• ●Definition of relatives: blood relatives within the 8th degree, in-laws within the 4th degree, and spouses.

• ●Those who experienced or witnessed the incident under investigation.

• ●Those who received direct testimony from someone who experienced or witnessed the incident.

4. Where to Submit Applications

• ●Local government offices (city/province or district/county) corresponding to the applicant’s residence.

• ●Truth and Reconciliation Commission (hereinafter the “Commission”).

• ●Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden.

5. How to Apply

• ●Complete the designated truth verification application form and submit it in person or by mail to the relevant office.

• ●Application forms are available at submission offices or can be downloaded from the local government website.

 ※ A receipt of submission will be issued at the time of in-person submission. (For mail submissions, the receipt will be sent via mail.)

6. Required Documents

• ●Applicant’s identification copy (mandatory)

• ●Proof of eligibility as an applicant:

• ●If the applicant is the victim: basic certificate.

• ●If the applicant is a relative or family member: family relation certificate, etc.

• ●If the applicant is an organization: ID of the representative, designation certificate, list of members, power of attorney, etc.

• ●If the applicant resides overseas: ID or passport copy.

• ●Supporting evidence relevant to the case:

• ●Examples: school records, genealogical documents, testimony certificates, adoption records, etc.

7. Additional Notes

• ●Please submit all available evidence along with your application form.

• ●Within 90 days from the date the application is received by the Commission (or submitted by the local government), the Commission will decide whether to start an investigation.

• ●If preliminary investigation is required before deciding, the period may be extended by 30 days.

• ●Applicants will be notified of the Commission’s decision within 7 days of the decision date.

Contact

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Civil Affairs Office

• ●Address: 5th Floor, Namsan Square Building, 173 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04554, South Korea

• ●Phone: +82-2-3393-9700 / 9701