과거사 재단의 설립과 성격 그리고 역할의 변화

Abstract

In many countries, various activities are being carried out to settle and heal the conflicts and scars caused by past history. In the 1990s, Korea also started to liquidate the past based on the law, and today, its achievements have attracted attention from many countries. The purpose of this study is to examine the change in the nature and role of the establishment of the ‘Past History Foundation,’ which is a follow-up measure and a new step in the liquidation of the past. The subjects of this study are the May 18 Memorial Foundation, Korea Democracy Foundation, and Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation. The Past History Foundation plays a role in socializing the results of the fact-finding, recalling lessons, and inheriting the meaning. Therefore, the most controversial issue in the establishment of a past history foundation was whether or not to formally find out the truth and the acceptance of social members. The establishment of the Past History Foundation was influenced by the social acceptability of the liquidation task, the nature of the event, and the awareness and activities of civil society. The characteristics of the past history foundation differed in form according to the composition and method of the propelling entity and the legal basis. However, through the revision of the articles of incorporation and laws, it is showing a gradually similar pattern. The role of the Past History Foundation was differentiated due to the circumstances and conditions at the time of its establishment, but in recent years, the character of a public institution tends to be strengthened. Overall, in the 1990s, events and activities for commemoration, remembrance, and succession were centered, but in the 2000s, it expanded to establishment and operation of facilities, fact-finding, and support for the lives of victims.