Korea Truth Commission at the UNHCHR Sub-Commission, 55th
Session, Geneva, Switzerland [28 July -15 August 2003]

Korea Truth Commission delivers the oral statement at the general plenary session on August 6, 2003.
From the left: Kim Hae Sook, Jeong Yoomi, Hwang Kye Il, Cho Hyun Ki, Im Hak Sup

A delegation of 10 people from the Korea Truth Commission (KTC) attended the 55^th Session of the Commission on Human Rights Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights which was held in Geneva, Switzerland from July 28 to August 15, 2003.

Two main objectives of the delegation were to bring international attention to the US military’s massacre of Korean civilians during the Korean War and also to bring UN sponsored special representatives to both Koreas to investigate US war crimes.

Although this year marked the 50^th Anniversary of the ending of the Korean War, the armistice hasn’t concluded to a peace treaty making the Korean War the longest unfinished war.

It is estimated over 3 million civilians were killed during the Korean War the vast majority of whom died at the hands of US military who fought under the auspices of United Nations Special Forces. Their war crimes ranged from indiscriminate bombing and strafing of civilians to the use of weapons of mass destruction such as chemical and germ weaponry.

Since the KTC was established on May of 2000, 10 International fact-finding delegations were sent to both Koreas and it held two war crimes tribunals.

The New York International Tribunal on U.S. War Crimes took place on June 23, 2001.

Over 600 people from around the world attended the event and found the U.S. guilty of war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity.

The latest, the Pyongyang International Tribunal on U.S. War Crimes took place on July 23-24, 2003. Representatives from 26 countries attended the event and it also found the U.S guilty of war crimes, crimes against peace and crimes against humanity.

In addition to an oral statement, the KTC also submitted a written statement and this was circulated in the UNHCHR Sub-Commission web site and also to the participants in hard copy.

Written Statement
http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/E.CN.4.Sub.2.2003.NGO.12.En?Opendocument

Oral Statement
http://koreatruthcommision.org/plus/board/table/paper/upload/UN%20%20ORAL%20STMT%208%206%2003.doc

Korea Forum, 'Forgotten War, Forgotten Victims and Forgotten Crimes' was held on August 5, 2003.
From the left: Im Hak Sup, Hwang Kye Il, Jeong Yoomi, Cho Hyun Ki

As part of NGO briefing, the Korea forum titled ‘Forgotten War, Forgotten Victims and Forgotten Crimes’ was held at Room 24, Palais des Nations.

Both survivors, Hwang Kye Il and Im Hap Sup gave moving testimonies and Cho Hyun Ki, Executive Director, National Association of the Families of Victims gave a briefing on the status of the survivors in South Korea. Yoomi Jeong, Deputy Secretary General of KTC presided over the meeting and also gave a briefing on the work of the Korea Truth Commission.

Through photo exhibition, testimonies and question and answer session, lively exchanges of information and ideas on the resolution to the issue took place.

Participants are looking over the U.S. war crimes photos.

See CONGO report on Korea Forum
http://www.ngocongo.org/ngonew/sub-com-hr.htm

In a spirit of unity, during the session, the KTC delegation met with both North and South Korean UN representatives in Geneva. Both were helpful to our issue. The KTC also had a special meeting with South Korean Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of the ROK at the Embassy.

The KTC representatives also met with several Special Experts present at the Sub-Commission who expressed interest on the issue of civilian massacres.

In addition, we tried to meet with the U.S. representatives in Geneva. This didn’t take place and the KTC delivered a letter addressed to the U.S. Ambassador for a meeting and also requested a response from their office on the Korean civilian massacres. The KTC was told that the issue is too sensitive and important and that they would have to consult with the State Department in Washington D.C.

The best part of our lobbying was a meeting with Vice-Chairperson of the Sub-Commission, Mme. Florizelle O’Connor. She met with our delegation and expressed a great interest in our issue. She gave encouragement to the survivors for their courage and persistence in bringing healing and peace to their suffering.

Vice-Chairperson of the Sub-Commission, Mme. Florizelle O'Connor meeets the survivors of the U.S. military massacres.
From the left: Florizelle O'Connor, Jeong Yoomi, Hwang Kye Il, Im Hak Sup

We gave a briefing and asked whether she and her colleagues would be interested in visiting both Koreas. She said the invitation from both Koreas would be helpful.

She also stated that with more information provided, she would try to organize a special session where Korean survivors could give testimonies directly to the members of the Sub-Commission.

The KTC also met with key international NGOs and exchanged solidarity.

In terms of outreach, we handed out more than 100 Joint Reports on US war crimes, which contained the indictments and verdicts of the Korean war crimes tribunals and 30 video tapes to the participants.

KTC brochures, written and oral statements were made available for the participants.

KTC issued a press release and called and distributed to key media outlet in Geneva.

KTC wrote a special letter to all 26 members of the Sub-Commission asking for their assistance and guidance with the civilian massacre issue.

KTC also wrote a statement of appeal for peace and collected signatures from the participants of the Sub-Commission; this will be sent to the UNHCHR Sub-Commission’s office.

KTC activities at the Sub-Commission were reported in the South Korean media; Yunhap News Agency and Ohmynews.com.

We understand this is only the beginning of our struggle; with commitment and dedication we will better prepare and strategize our plan of action at the next UNHCHR session in March 2004.

New York International Tribunal on U.S. War Crimes in Korea, June 23, 2001

Indictment
http://koreatruthcommision.org/plus/board/table/thesis/upload/indictment.pdf

Verdict
http://koreatruthcommision.org/plus/board/table/thesis/upload/VERDICT.pdf

Pyongyang International Tribunal on U.S. War Crimes in Korea, July 24-25, 2003

Indictment
http://koreatruthcommision.org/plus/board/table/paper/upload/Indictment.doc

Verdict
http://koreatruthcommision.org/plus/board/table/paper/upload/Verdict.doc