The 32nd Joint Memorial Ceremony for the Victims of the Geochang Incident Held

Press Release Urging Legislation for Compensation of Those Involved in the Geochang Incident

The 32nd Joint Memorial Ceremony Held and Statement Urging Legislation for Compensation of Those Related to the Geochang Incident Announced (Photo by Geochang-gun)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The 69th anniversary joint memorial service for the victims of the Geochang Incident, the 32nd such event, was held at the Geochang Incident Memorial Park in Geochang County to console and commemorate the souls of the victims, it was announced on the 27th.

The Geochang Incident is a representative case of civilian massacre during the Korean War, where from February 9 to 11, 1951, for three days, the South Korean army brutally massacred 719 residents of Sinwon-myeon, mostly children and women, under the pretext of suppressing communist guerrillas.

The event was solemnly conducted with about 100 attendees including the chairman of the Geochang Incident Victims' Families Association, Gu In-mo the county governor, Hong Jong-wan head of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Past Affairs Support Group, Kim Jong-du chairman of the county council, provincial and county council members, heads of organizations in Sinwon-myeon, and bereaved families.

This year’s joint memorial service was held in a simplified manner, canceling the usual memorial ceremony and side events due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Following last year, the Geochang Incident Victims' Families Association, Geochang County, and Geochang County Council jointly issued a statement urging legislation for compensation related to the Geochang Incident.

Lee Seong-yeol, chairman of the bereaved families association who delivered the statement, said, “The Geochang Incident is a deep wound in modern Korean history and the greatest tragedy in our region. It is a national issue that can no longer be delayed, and it is a time when the government’s active efforts are needed to ensure that such pain caused by war never recurs.”

He continued, “The government and the National Assembly should keep in mind that compensation for the victims of the Geochang Incident, in line with the public’s expectations, is an essential process for settling past issues and a demand of the times. We urge the 21st National Assembly to actively work to ensure that compensation legislation is finalized.”

Gu In-mo, governor of Geochang County, stated, “We will focus the necessary administrative power to ensure that the compensation law is enacted so that practical compensation and restoration of honor can be achieved for the victims and their families.”