본문 바로가기

Our search for the lost truth will be based on
political neutrality, objectivity of facts, and scientific rationality.

Greetings
from the
Chairperson

The May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission is the first investigation committee to have been launched under the Special Act on Investigating the Truth. The goal is to bring about reconciliation and prevent recurrence, with the results submitted to a national reporting system.

We will investigate the actual command system and firing order system, disclose human rights violation, such as civilian casualties, injuries, and sexual violation in Gwangju. In addition, we will focus on finding secret burials and missing people.

We will conduct investigations with the participation of the citizens, in which the victims and the perpetrator meet and jointly investigate as deemed appropriate according to international and universal principles. The purpose of the truth investigation is not to reveal what is true or false, but to prove it inductively through objective data and testimony.

We will create an opportunity to fully share the findings of the investigation so that the distorted truth regarding May 18 can be brought to an end.

We are humbly asking for your interest and participation.


Song Suntae
The May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission

Members

Song Suntae (Chairperson)

Career

- (Former) Secretary to the Prime Minister
- (Former) Executive, The May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission (Planning Chairman)
- (Former) Investigator and Advisor, May 18 Special Investigation Commission, Ministry of National Defense

Education

Graduate School of Public Administration, Chonnam National University

Ahn Jongcheol  (Vice-Chairperson)

Career

- (Former) Director of Investigation, Director of Policy, Director-General for Planning and Coordination, National Human Rights Commission
- (Former) Director, May 18 Special Investigation Commission Sub Committee, Ministry of National Defense
- (Former) Director, The Next Korea Foundation

Education

Graduate School of Public Administration, Chonnam National University

Lee Jonghyup

Career

- (Former) Director, Investigation HQ, Ministry of National Defense
- (Former) MP, Capital Defense Command
- (Former) Military Police Officer, Operation Office 1, Joint General Staff

Education

Ph.D., Criminology, Dongguk University

Min Byeongro

Career

- (Former) VC, May 18 Movement Compensation Review Committee
- (Former) VP, The Korea Law Professors Association Inc
- (Present) Professor, Law School, Chonnam National University, VP, Korea Constitutional Law Association

Education

Ph.D., Law, Waseda University

Suh Aeryun

Career

- (Former) Prosecutor, Gwangju District Public Prosecutor’s Office
- (Present) Subcommissioner, Gwangju Division, The Press Arbitration Committee
- (Present) Representative Attorney, IUS Law Firm

Education

College of Law, Chonnam National University (The 40th Bar Exam)

Oh Seungyong

Career

- (Former) Full-time Researcher, Research Professor, The May 18 Institute, Chonnam National University,
- (Former) Chairperson of Policy, Gwangju Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice
- (Present) President, Kingpin Policy Research Institute

Education

Ph.D., Politics, Chonnam National University

Lee Dongwook

Career

- (Former) Reporter, Monthly Chosun, The Chosun Ilbo
- (Former) Expert Member, Gallup Korea
- (Present) President, Front of Liberty Publishing

Education

Master, North Korean Politics, Sogang University

Kim Heesong

Career

- (Former) Investigator, May 18 Special Investigation Commission, Ministry of National Defense
- (Former) Research professor at BK21 Social Sciences at Chonnam National University
- (Present) Full-time researcher at the May 18th Democratization Movement Research Center at Chonnam National University

Education

PhD at Chonnam National University specializing in non-government organizations

Cha Gihwan

Career

- (Former) Judge, Suwon District Court
- (Former) Director, KBS, The Foundation of Broadcast Culture
- (Present) Lawyer, Sunjung Law Firm

Education

Department of Justice, Seoul National University (The 27th Bar Exam)

Function of the Commission

Aide

  • TASK

    1. Research and review of subjects instructed by the chairperson of the Commission
    2. Promoting participation in the truth investigation by experts, organizations, research institutions etc., in relation to the works of the Commission, and collecting their opinions
    3. Partnership with experts, organizations, research institutions etc. in relation to the works of the Commission
    4. Cooperation with the agencies at the government ministries which provide policy support

  • TEL

    02-724-9109

  • FAX

    02-724-9133

External Cooperation Officer

  • TASK

    1. PR for the commission
    2. External presentation of the commission work, such as briefing and press releases
    3. Communication with the public, such as online PR and social media operation
    4. Taking of photos and videos of the commission
    5. Publication of the white paper
    6. -2. Works related to hearings pursuant to Article 38 of the Act
    7. Media PR of other commission work, etc.

  • TEL

    02-724-9112

  • FAX

    02-724-9133

Investigation Support Division

  • TASK

    1. Establishment of the commission’s work plan and operation of the commission’s meeting
    2. Enactment and revision of the rules on the operation of the commission
    3. General affairs of the commission, such as internal and external events
    4. HR affairs (e.g., employment, service, awarding, and disciplinary actions of the employees)
    5. Disclosure of administrative information
    6. Management, settlement, and accounting of the budgets and funds under the remit of the commission
    7. Payroll and purchase, procurement, and management of goods
    8. Security, building entrance management, and emergency preparation, and personal information protection
    9. Management of the commission’s website and broadcasting equipment
    10. Support provision for the commission’s investigation activities
    11. Other matters not related to the affairs of the other divisions within the commission

  • TEL

    02-724-9121

  • FAX

    02-724-9133

Investigation 1 Division

  • TASK

    1. General investigation of truths of the May 18th Democratization Movement in Article 3(1) of the Act (excluding investigation of sexual violence).
    2. Submission of data, request for attendance, and hearing statements of the investigation subject and testifier related to the work of Clause (1)
    3. Investigation of facts on the agency, facilities, organizations, etc., (hereinafter referred to as “organizations, etc.”) related to the work of Clause (1)
    4. Designated request and expert opinion of appraisers related to the work of Clause (1)
    5. Field investigation of place, facility, data, or object (hereinafter, “places, etc.”) related to the work of Clause (1)
    6. Preparation of an investigation result report related to the work of Clause (1)
    7. -2.Receiving, classifying, and processing requests for investigation of truth pursuant to Article 23 of the Act
    8. Preparing investigation reports and comprehensive reports in accordance with Article 34 of the Act
    9. Collecting and administering domestic & overseas data related to the May 18 Democratization Movement
    10. -2 Managing records other than those related to the May 18 Democratization Movement
    11. Other investigations related to the works of Clause (1)

  • TEL

    02-724-9143

  • FAX

    02-724-9133

Investigation 2 Division

  • TASK

    1. General affairs of the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission work corresponding to Articles 3 (5) to (7) and (11) of the Act
    2. Submission of data, request for attendance, and hearing statements of the investigation subject and testifier related to the work of Clause (1)
    3. Investigation of facts on the organizations, etc., related to the work of Clause (1)
    4. Designated request and expert opinion of appraisers related to the work of Clause (1)
    5. Field investigation of places, etc., related to the work of Clause (1)
    6. Preparation of an investigation result report related to the work of Clause (1)
    7. Other investigations related to the work of Clause (1)

  • TEL

    02-724-9184

  • FAX

    02-724-9134

Investigation 3 Division

  • TASK

    1. General affairs of the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission work corresponding to Articles 3 (2), (8), (9) and (12) of the Act
    2. Submission of data, request for attendance, and hearing statements of the investigation subject and testifier related to the work of Clause (1)
    3. Investigation of facts on the organizations, etc., related to the work of Clause (1)
    4. Designated request and expert opinion of appraisers related to the work of Clause (1)
    5. Field investigation of places, etc., related to the work of Clause (1)
    6. Preparation of an investigation result report related to the work of Clause (1)
    7. Other investigations related to the work of Clause (1)

  • TEL

    02-724-9163

  • FAX

    02-724-9134

Investigation 4 Division

  • TASK

    1. General affairs of the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission work corresponding to Articles 3 (1)(limited to investigation of sexual violence), (3), (4) and (10) of the Act
    2. Submission of data, request for attendance, and hearing statements of the investigation subject and testifier related to the work of Clause (1)
    3. Investigation of facts on the organizations, etc., related to the work of Clause (1)
    4. Designated request and expert opinion of appraisers related to the work of Clause (1)
    5. Field investigation of places, etc., related to the work of Clause (1)
    6. Preparation of an investigation result report related to the work of Clause (1)
    7. Other investigations related to the work of Clause (1)

  • TEL

    02-724-9164

  • FAX

    02-724-9134

Commission CI

5·18민주화운동 진상규명조사위원회

5·18민주화운동 진상규명조사위원회

Meaning of CI

The flying bird, with its combination of blue and green colors, flaps its wings for truth, reconciliation, and healing.

The red-colored wing symbolizes the democracy achieved by the people's sublime sacrifice.
The yellow-colored wing symbolizes the bright light that reveals the truth.
The turquoise-colored wing symbolizes the honor corresponding to healing wounds and restoring truth.

Light of Truth Bright light clearly reveals the whole truth. It symbolizes the realization of justice by recognizing of truth. Democracy Achieved by Sacrifice The initial flapping of the wings symbolizing democracy achieved through sublime sacrifice represents the progressive image of the future.Communication and Reconciliation Turquoise, which is a harmonious combination of blue (trust) and green (peace), symbolizes the recovery of honor through communication and reconciliation.
Light of Truth Bright light clearly reveals the whole truth. It symbolizes the realization of justice by recognizing of truth. Democracy Achieved by Sacrifice The initial flapping of the wings symbolizing democracy achieved through sublime sacrifice represents the progressive image of the future.Communication and Reconciliation Turquoise, which is a harmonious combination of blue (trust) and green (peace), symbolizes the recovery of honor through communication and reconciliation.

How to Use the CI

  • If you want to use the CI for various events to represent the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission, you must obtain our approval in advance.
    The CI of the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission cannot be used for institutional or commercial purposes.
  • If you want to use the CI of the May 18 Democratization Movement Truth Commission, you must download and use the CI provided on the website.
  • If you have any other inquiries regarding the use of the CI, please contact the External Cooperation Division (02-724-9111).

Directions

Address

(04551) 7F & 8F, Narakium Jeodong Bldg.,
340 Samil-daero (Jeo-dong 1-ga), Jung-gu, Seoul

Contact

Public Transportations

By Subway

  • Line 2·3 Euljiro 3-ga Station: Exit 12 (5-minute walk) / Eulji-ro Underground Shopping Center, Eulji 2-ga Exit 5 (1-minute walk)
  • Line 4 Myeong-dong Station: Exit 10 (10-minute walk)

By Bus

Namdaemun Tax Office‧National Human Rights Commission of Korea Stop
● Red_Direct 1150, 5000A, 5005, 5007, 7900, 8100, 9003, 9300, 5000B, M4101, M4102
Namdaemun Tax Office-Seoul Paik Hospital Stop
● Blue 470, 472, 741
● Red_Direct 1150, 4108, 5000A, 5005, 5007, 5500-1, 5500-2, 7900, 8100, 8800, 9000, 9003, G8110, N37, 9401, M4101, M4102, M4108, M4130, M4137, M5107, M5115, M5121
Eulji-ro 2-ga‧Pine Avenue Stop
● Blue 100, 105, 152, 202, 261, N30
● Airport  6015, 6021

Address

2F, Bitgoeul Customer Center, 26 Sicheong-ro (Chipyeong-dong), Seo-gu,
Gwangju (1247-4 Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju)

Contact

Public Transportations

By Subway

  • Line 1 Sangmoo Station: Exit 5
  • Line 1 Wooncheon Station: Exit3

By Bus

● Express Circulating 01
● Blue Sunjiwon 45, Poongang 16, Songjeong 19, Cheomdan 20
● Green Jiwon 50, Geumho 46, Daechon 69, Songam 73, Daechon 270