Ever since he became head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Korea, more than 2 years ago, LEE Young-jo seemed to be less interested in defending the cause (uncovering the country's troubled past to pave the way for a sounder future), than in undermining the institution and in pleasing fellow right wing activists*.
If LEE failed as the head of the TRCK, he clearly succeeded in that not so hidden agenda: he first banned a key report exposing unconvenient truths, and then quickly led the institution to its termination.
At last, justice caught up with Mr LEE, who's just been fined for abusing his position in order to ban the TRCK report: "Ex-head of truth commission abused authority to ban book" (Korea Times 20120511). LEE also lost the support of the Saenuri Party for the recent legislative elections.
If this verdict won't resurrect the TRCK, it does convey a message to those who try to erase or rewrite History.
The moral of the story? When you try to hide a mine field by covering it with dirt, don't celebrate by dancing on it.
Seoul Village 2012
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* See TRCK lost in translation or lost in transition?, and my previous posts related to TRCK, among which:
- TRCK: families of victims demand essential follow-up
- Truth and Reconciliation : which model for Korea ?
- A common History (also published in JoongAng Ilbo as "Japan may face its history")
- President Lee, please keep digging
Saturday, May 12, 2012
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