First Excavation of Civilian Massacre Victims from the Korean War Begins in Cheonan Area

Excavation Opening Ceremony for Remains to Be Held in Gundo-ri, Jiksan-eup on the 20th

The Cheonan Regional Committee of the Institute for Korean Historical Studies announced that on the 20th, a groundbreaking ceremony for the excavation of civilian massacre victims from the Korean War period will be held in Gunseori, Jiksan-eup, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan City.

The excavation of the remains of civilian massacre victims, who were killed in the Cheonan area of South Chungcheong Province during the Korean War for allegedly collaborating with the North Korean People's Army, is set to begin in earnest.

The Cheonan Regional Committee of the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities announced that on the 20th, a ground-breaking ceremony for the excavation of the remains of civilian massacre victims from the Korean War will be held in the Gunseo-ri area of Jiksan-eup, Cheonan.

According to the Institute, in the area of 166 Gunseo-ri, Jiksan-eup, more than 200 civilians were detained in the warehouse of the then Jiksan-myeon office and illegally killed on suspicion of collaborating with the North Korean People's Army after the South Korean military recaptured Seoul on September 28, 1950. Their bodies were then secretly buried at a nearby site called Seongsan.

The issue of civilian victims was first brought to public attention in 2018, and that year, a memorial service was held for the first time, led by local residents.

On the 19th, the Cheonan Regional Committee of the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities and the Cheonan Democratic Organizations Solidarity Council held a press conference at the Cheonan City Hall briefing room and welcomed the start of the excavation of the remains of civilian massacre victims in the Cheonan area.

They stated, "It has taken six years since local residents' testimonies and on-site investigations identified the burial site in 2018, but we are finally beginning the excavation project. We expect that this project will greatly contribute to uncovering the truth of the civilian massacre and realizing historical justice."

They further urged, "Cheonan City must actively work to comfort the pain of the victims who have been buried by state violence for over 70 years, as well as the suffering of the bereaved families, and take active steps to uncover the truth and restore their honor."

Meanwhile, since 2018, Asan City has been carrying out excavations of the remains of civilian massacre victims from the Korean War and has so far uncovered more than 200 remains at sites such as Baenang and Seolhwasan.