Promotion of Restoring Victims' Honor through Harm Excavation
On the 18th, Jeonnam Sinan-gun announced that on the 17th, a ground-breaking ritual was held in Daegiri, Imja-myeon, ahead of the excavation of the remains of civilian victims who were collectively sacrificed during the Korean War.
The ground-breaking ritual is a ceremony offered to the earth deity before digging the soil. This event was held to comfort the souls of the innocent civilian victims and to pray for the safety of those participating in the excavation.
Imjamyeon is holding a moment of silence to honor the souls of civilian victims of the Korean War. [Photo by Sinan-gun]
With attendees including the Sinan Imja Bereaved Families Association and the Korea Prehistoric Culture Research Institute Foundation, the ceremony began with a moment of silence for the victims, followed by rites, a memorial address, and a groundbreaking act, providing a time to console the spirits of the victims.
Kim Dae-in, Deputy Governor of Sinan-gun, said, “Although this is a painful part of our history, the more people who mourn and remember together, the more we can move toward harmony and truly heal the pain.” He added, “I hope this excavation will serve as an opportunity to restore the honor of the victims and to ease the grief of their bereaved families, even if only a little.”
Sinan-gun secured 150 million won in national funds and 20 million won in local funds to carry out the excavation by the end of next month. The recovered remains and relics will later be enshrined at the Memorial House in Sejong City, and efforts will be made to restore the victims’ honor and uncover the truth.
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