Truth commission's new head triggers backlash for ultraconservative past remarks

Kim Kwang-dong, chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, speaks at his appointment ceremony, Monday, at its office in Seoul. Courtesy of Truth and Reconciliation Commission

By Lee Yeon-woo

Kim Kwang-dong, the newly appointed chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has come under fire for his past controversial remarks and views about historical events.

As he took office on Monday, criticism directed at him has intensified as he will oversee the commission, which was established to investigate and uncover the facts about Korea's tragic modern history entangled with uprisings and coups, human rights violations and red scare tactics.

On Tuesday, critics dredged up his past controversial remarks on the May 1980 Gwangju Uprising, in which citizens protesting the military coup of Chun Doo-hwan were attacked by the military.

During a symposium held in 2020, Kim had presented a paper titled, “The State's Fascist Control over Issues of the Perception of History.”

He criticized a bill introduced by the then-ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to ban the distortions of history, claiming that it introduces a double standard in the punishment of violators. “If the bill gets the nod from the National Assembly, those who claim that some 2,000 people were killed during the uprising won't be punished. But those who claim that the North Korean army was involved in the anti-government protests will be subject to punishment,” he said.

He was also critical of then President Moon Jae-in, stating that “previously President Moon remarked several times that the South Korean military fired machine guns from helicopters and what he said is obviously false information.”

However, in 2018, a fact-finding committee under the Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the military had used helicopters to fire on civilians.

Kim continued talking about the conspiracy theory that the North Korean army had played a role in the democratic uprising, which was also dismissed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in its research conducted from 2006 to 2015.

Four civic groups related to the Gwangju Uprising, including the May 18 Memorial Foundation, issued a statement on Monday demanding a public apology from Kim or his removal from the post.

“President Yoon appointed a person ― who distorts the truth of the Gwangju Uprising ― to lead a national commission launched for 'truth' and 'reconciliation,' and this is doing a disservice to national integration,” the statement reads.

The DPK's South Jeolla Province branch also asked the government to withdraw Kim's appointment on Tuesday, saying Kim has caused additional harm to survivors and bereaved families.

Some also question whether Kim is the right person to lead the commission, which was launched to investigate unresolved historical issues, specifically for survivors and families who have been victimized by state violence in the past.

Kim flatly rejected this request. “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission does not deal with the Gwangju Uprising. It is not appropriate for me to say more about the issue,” Kim said to the local media.

The presidential office has not responded to the request.

Kim started his work as chairperson right after his appointment ceremony. His term is two years, until Dec. 9, 2024.