Jeonnam Provincial Council Cheers 'Not Guilty Verdict' in Yeosun Incident Retrial

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Members of the Jeonnam Provincial Council's Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident Special Committee (Chairperson Kang Jeonghee) anxiously watched the final retrial hearing of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident held at the Gwangju District Court Suncheon Branch on the 20th, and when the 'not guilty' verdict was announced, they all cheered and expressed their joy.

This trial involved the bereaved family of victim Jang Hwanbong (then 29 years old), who was sentenced to death on charges of rebellion and disruption of national sovereignty for allegedly cooperating with anti-government forces during the 1948 Yeosu-Suncheon Incident. The family appealed for a stern judicial judgment to clear the victim's name, and finally, after 72 years since the incident, they were able to resolve the grievance over their father's wrongful death.

Kang Jeonghee, member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council and chairperson of the Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident Special Committee, stated, "The Yeosu-Suncheon Incident was a case where innocent civilians were indiscriminately and unjustly massacred due to state violence, and the bereaved families have endured years of agony. It is fortunate that a clear 'not guilty' verdict has been delivered, restoring the honor of the bereaved families. We hope that this ruling will serve as a catalyst for the prompt enactment of the special law currently pending in the National Assembly."

Until now, the Jeonnam Provincial Council submitted a petition signed by all council members supporting the 'not guilty' verdict in the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident retrial, and members of the Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident Special Committee attended every retrial hearing, hoping for a not guilty verdict.

Additionally, to uncover the truth of the Yeosu-Suncheon October 19 Incident, restore the honor of the victims, and enact the special law, they unanimously adopted petitions and urging proposals to the government and the National Assembly multiple times.