President Lee Jae-myung invited victims of state violence to the Blue House for a luncheon on the occasion of the launch of the 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission, pledging, "We can no longer pass down the unresolved homework of addressing past history to the next generation. The state will take responsibility and heal them."

In his opening remarks prior to the luncheon today (August 7), President Lee said, "Modern Korean history is a history of dazzling growth and development, but at the same time, it is a history of twists and turns where citizens suffered deep wounds from state violence and human rights violations."

He looked back, saying, "Numerous citizens were brutally sacrificed during the Korean War, and during the authoritarian era, the state suppressed the freedom and human rights of the people, cracking down on citizens and students who demanded democratization. There were also many citizens whose lives were trampled upon by excessive public power, such as forced conscription, Nokhwa and Seondo operations, and the dismissal of teachers affiliated with the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (Jeon-gyo-jo)."

He added, "Human rights abuses by state power, such as the Samcheong Education Center and Seosan Pioneer Village incidents, as well as countless instances of illegal detention, torture, and harsh acts by state agencies, such as the Sabuk incident and the abductee returnee fishermen incidents, were committed."

President Lee stated, "These wounds did not remain only in that era, and the inheritance of pain has continued. I feel a deep sense of responsibility as president that the state has not adequately responded to the desperate calls of the victims until now."

He promised, "We can no longer pass down the unresolved homework of addressing past history to the next generation. The state will take responsibility and heal them. We will add a 3rd Investigation Bureau to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to thoroughly uncover human rights abuses in collective detention facilities such as the Brothers Home and Deokseongwon, as well as overseas forced adoption cases."

He also explained, "We will make up for the limitations of the investigation method that has previously relied on applications from victims, and conduct active investigations where the state steps forward first."

President Lee emphasized, "The responsibility of the state has no expiration date. Through a law revision last February, we clearly included the state's compensation liability toward victims. We have also established the principle that the statute of limitations will not apply to claims for damages caused by state violence."

In particular, President Lee stressed, "Although a few words cannot wash away the pain you have experienced, I will work with a heavy sense of responsibility as president to ensure that another state violence never happens again in our Republic of Korea, and that not a single innocent victim emerges."

President Lee also bowed his head, saying, "Once again, I offer my deepest condolences and apologies to the victims of all state violence incidents that took place on this land since liberation."

Today's luncheon was attended by some 70 victims who suffered from unjust state violence yet have not received proper measures for the restoration of their honor.

(Photo: Yonhap News)