1. TRC Investigations:
1) What is the number of execution incidents the TRC is investigating related to a) the Korean War, b) 1950? I understand 1,200 incidents of mass execution are being investigated, in addition to 215 cases in which the U.S. military was directly involved – is this still correct?
= As of November 2008, a total of 2,354 petitions were verified out of 8,153 petitions (the figures were counted in accordance with the number of filed petitions). More than 90% of the above cases were mass killings involving executions with most of the victims therein being shot and killed. If the above numbers are re-counted by each incident (one incident may be a combination of multiple petitions with a similar nature in their characteristics), the result is as follows.
l Civilian massacres by the South Korean army, police, U.S. forces, U.N. forces, or any right-winged organizations. ---------------------------------------------------------- 1,222 Incidents
l Civilian massacres by the North Korean military, local leftists, or communist guerillas --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------190 Incidents
l Total---------------------------------------------------------------------------------1,412 Incidents
* All of the 1,412 incidents were execution-style mass killings.
Regarding the TRC excavations, what is the number of graves that have been unearthed / excavated by the Commission? How many remains have been found through excavation? Is there a list available that I may have concerning the burial sites that have been or are in the progress of being excavated?
= The exhumation work by the Commission has been conducted for the last two years. As of June 15, 2007, the Commission’s research indicates that a total of 154 sites were from civilian massacres that occurred around the time of the Korean War and the remains of approximately 900 bodies were recovered throughout the exhumation work at nine different sites in seven different areas across the nation. Refer below for more details.
2. The Execution Hill Incident (Nov. ~ Dec. 1950). The program we are preparing will have a special focus on the Execution Hill Incident that occurred in late 1950 when British troops stopped executions and ‘seized’ (please see reference below) “Execution Hill.” I would be grateful to know if the Commission has any information about these incidents.
1) The TRCK has some relevant resources. See below for more details. They show (A) the executions of inmates who violated the [3]Special Decrees and were imprisoned at Seodaemun Prison in Seoul, (B) the 29th British Brigade’s message protesting the incident, and (3) the counter measures of the South Korean government under Ryee Seung-man.
2) This case has NOT been filed with the TRCK.
3) “Execution Hill” is presumably located around Hongje-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Korea, but this has not yet been confirmed. The location was also known as a base camp for the 29th British Brigade.
3. Our research suggests these executions occurred in two locations: 1) In the area of Sindun-Ni, and also 2) within the Seoul Prison. We are particularly seeking any survivors, relatives, or witnesses related to the series of executions that the British troops tried to stop.
= At the time of the incident, there were two prisons in Seoul. Inmates from Seodaemun Prison were killed mostly around the Hongje-ri area, and inmates from Mapo Prison were killed near the Han River which runs through the city.
= No petitions have been filed with the TRCK concerning the incident, and we have not yet contacted any survivors or witnesses.
Execution Hill was a name given to the area in newspaper reports at the time, though we are unsure of its exact location, or locations. I have highlighted a quick reference from an article by Charles Hanley,
”It was the British who took action, according to news reports at the time. On Dec. 7, in occupied North Korea, British officers saved 21 civilians lined up to be shot by threatening to shoot the South Korean officer responsible. Later that month, British troops seized ’Execution Hill,’ outside Seoul, to block further mass killings there.”
= The location of “Execution Hill” has not been confirmed; however, it is presumably around Muakjae (a hillock between the Seodaemun Prison and Hongje-ri).
= Around December 1950, many civilians suspected of collaborating with North Korea were killed by the South Korean army and police forces in Seoul and the Gyeonggi Province. Some 229 people were killed in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province around this time and it has been verified by the TRCK.
4. The Daejon Massacres.
Our project will look closely at the massacres around Daejon, particularly because of the involvement of several British reporters in bringing the incidents to light in July and August of 1950. We seek your help about the events in Daejon in July and September 1950 to ensure our film is accurate about these sensitive and tragic events.
1) The Daejon Picture Post Incident: Has the Commission been able to find out anymore about the mass executions near Daejon by the Kum River in early July 1950 that was reported on by British Picture Post reporter Stephen Simmons? The Picture Post (“War in Korea,” vol. 48, No. 5, July 1950, p. 17) published a photograph of several truckloads of “South Korean suspected traitors on the banks of the Kum River on their way to execution.” Adding that the matter was under investigation by the U.N., we have been unable to locate any information on the U.N. investigation from that time and would appreciate any information you have. In addition, Mr. Simmons reported seeing prisoners shot in the pits they had been forced to dig on a hillside, which is visible from across the Kum River. Has the Commission located a mass grave site that may match Mr. Simmons description?
= The above incident is known as the Gongju Wangchon Massacre (not the Daejon Massacres) and the TRCK is currently investigating the case. The photo released by the Picture Post is available, and its exhumation work is scheduled to be conducted in 2009. [4]According to a report at the time by the Manchester Guardian, “Some prison guards forced some twenty inmates to kneel, and then executed them in Gongju. When asked about the incident, they answered, ’Commis, bang, bang (indicating an execution).”
5. Daejon Massacres; Sannae and Yongwol
We are seeking to clarify the location and known facts of the reported massacres at Yongwol and Sannae (respectively), just outside Daejeon, that took place in early July 1950. I would be very grateful for as many specifics as possible, including dates. I am under the impression that the first massacre was at Yongwol between July 2 ~ 6 where up to 7,000 were executed (as reported by Kim Dong-choon of the TRCK). I wish to know if the Yongwol Massacre and the “Sannae Massacre” as photographed by U.S. Col. Edwards on July 3, 1950, are one and the same, or are Yongwol and Sannae in different locations? I would be very grateful if this could be confirmed (apologies if this seems confusing but it’s very difficult to pinpoint geography according to press reports). Finally, has the TRCK made estimates on the number of people executed in the early July massacres around Daejon?
= The TRCK has conducted partial exhumation work in the region.
= Sannae and Nangwol (correction from “Youngwol” written above) are considered the same location. The location is called ‘Sannae Golryeonggol’ and is near 13 Nangwol-dong, Dong-gu, Daejon. (We strongly advise you to seek assistance from someone who is familiar with Korea’s geographical denominations to reduce any complications with respect to the location of each incident)
= [5]Currently, the investigation on the Daejon Prison Incident is being conducted by the Commission, and the number of casualties is not yet confirmed.
= According to [6]Alan Winnington of the Daily Worker, the mass killing of the prison inmates, including [7]a large number of political prisoners, took place between July 4 ~ 6, and the rest of the inmates were executed on the 17th. He recorded there were more than 7,000 bodies buried in Nangwol-ri.
6. Daejon Massacres – American Knowledge
I am interested in the declassified American report where Brig. Gen. Francis W. Farrell, the chief U.S. military advisor to the South Koreans, on August 15, 1950, recommended that the U.S. Command investigate the executions and was denied. Soon after execution photos were sent to Washington with a report stating thousands of political prisoners had been killed, the declassified record apparently showed that the equivocal U.S. attitude continued into the fall season when Seoul was re-taken and the South Korean forces began shooting residents who collaborated with the northern occupiers. I was wondering if you had any information about this declassified record; particularly, the re-taking of Seoul and Daejon. Is this record in the public domain?
= The Commission has no record indicating Farrell suggested an investigation into the massacre at the time.
7. The Second Daejon Massacres.
We have been looking into events that occurred in late September 1950 in Daejon; particularly, the truth behind the photograph of the Daejon Prison Yard Massacre which was widely published in America in late 1950. Has the Commission any information on this incident? In particular, we are interested in the dates, incident locations, and any witnesses with knowledge of the second Daejon massacres.
= This case was verified on Nov. 25, 2008, and some facts may be available upon request. (Kindly understand that the reports themselves are available only after the Commission submits its findings to the National Assembly and the President of Korea; hence, we would appreciate if questions are specific.) This massacre occurred shortly before the U.N. forces and the South Korean troops conducted the Incheon Landing Operation (인천상륙작전) and recaptured Seoul on Sept. 28, 1950. Before the withdrawal from the region, the North Korean People’s Army and local leftists killed Daejon Prison inmates with right leaning tendencies.
8. Has the Commission filmed any work that may be shared with us? We’re particularly interested in the excavations or testimonials. We understand this is of a very sensitive nature and primarily, you would only want this to be viewed as a research aid.
= References may be available upon request. We recommend visiting our English website at http://jinsil.go.kr/English/index.asp
= visual material containing testimonials from bereaved family members of the victims and excavation staff, etc. are available. (On the bottom, right side of the TRCK main web page; titled TRC FILM)
* Books and CDs are available on the exhumation work and the TRCK investigations. They may be mailed upon request.
[1] A mass killing against Bodo League members in the Cheongwon area.
[2] A mass killing against Bodo League members in the Haenam area.
[3] 특별조치령 in Korean: Entered into effect in 1950 to summarily prosecute those charged with treason and crimes against humanity during times of national crisis. http://contents.archives.go.kr/next/content/listSubjectDescription.do?id=001476
[4] ‘07년도 피해자 현황조사 결과 (2007. 12. 16/위원회/258-259쪽 참조)
[5] When Seoul was occupied by the North on June 28, 1950, a large number of inmates kept in prisons located in the further north of Daejon were sent to the Daejon Prison. At the time, approximately 4,000 inmates including 2,000 political prisoners with leftist tendency were held there. When the martial law came into effect on July 8, the South Korean forces took the Bodo League members, collaborators thereof, etc. to nearby Golryeonggol, Sannae-myeon, Daejon and killed. The testimonies from some bereaved families of those victims say it took three whole days to execute them all.
[6] Alan Winnington, I saw the Truth in Korea, London: People’s Press Printing Society, 1950, pp. 4~6.
[7] Mostly Bodo League members or their sympathizers.
