Only 3 researchers assigned to collect historical records linked to Korea's independence movement

The veterans ministry in South Korea has assigned only three researchers to collect and review historical records related to the country's independence movement against Japanese colonial rule, according to data released on Friday. This has raised concerns over a shortage of personnel to handle the vast amount of historical records.

The Patriots and Veterans Archives Management Division, which has 37 personnel in total, currently has only three individuals responsible for this task. The ministry's official stated that they typically collect around 300,000 records per year, implying that each researcher would be responsible for managing approximately 100,000 records annually.

This shortage of personnel comes as the ministry plans to honor over 600 independence activists this year, up from 502 in 2025. There are 21 personnel tasked with reviewing historical records of these activists who haven't received state honors yet. The officials at the Patriots and Veterans Entitlement Division, responsible for collecting records on individuals involved in the independence movement, also noted a shortage of personnel.

The ministry has identified and honored 408 independence fighters as of August, but an estimated 3 million people are believed to have fought for Korea's independence. Only 19,059 of them have been officially recognized for their contributions.