Civilian Victims of Yeosun Incident Acquitted After 72 Years... Court Apologizes for "Illegal Use of Public Authority"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The court acquitted a civilian victim who was wrongfully executed for allegedly cooperating with the rebel forces during the Yeosun Incident. This ruling restored honor after 72 years.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Suncheon Branch of the Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Jeong-ah) on the 20th acquitted and apologized to the late Jang Hwan-bong (then 29 years old), who was executed after working as a railroad engineer, during the retrial sentencing for civilian victims of the Yeosun Incident.

Presiding Judge Kim said, "As a member of the judiciary, I deeply apologize and clarify that the execution of this ruling was an act of illegal public authority," adding, "I earnestly hope that a special law will be enacted so that the victims of the Yeosun Incident can be compensated without having to go through exhausting procedures to restore their honor."

She continued, "Jang Hwan-bong will be recorded not as a leftist or rightist, but as an honorable railroad public official," and said, "It took more than 70 years to declare that the ruling was wrong, and I apologize for not declaring his honor sooner."

The court acquitted Jang of the charges of rebellion and disturbance of national sovereignty applied to him by the military tribunal in 1948, stating, "The facts of the crime were not proven." Two other defendants in the retrial, including Shin Mo, ended the case as the retrial applicants passed away.

Jang was arrested after the national army recaptured Suncheon from the rebel forces in October 1948, accused of aiding the rebels, sentenced to death by a military court on charges of rebellion and disturbance of national sovereignty within 22 days, and the sentence was immediately carried out.