Geochang Incident Memorial Park Sees Surge in Visitors to Space of Remembrance and Peace

Honoring the Spirits of the Victims and Reflecting on Historical Significance
Providing Visitors with Meaningful Experiences

Geochang County in Gyeongnam Province has achieved success in increasing group visitors to the Geochang Incident Memorial Park through active promotional activities and the creation of seasonal flower gardens.

The county has continuously promoted the Geochang Incident Memorial Park and developed flower gardens to both honor the spirits of the victims of the Geochang Incident and reflect on its historical significance, while also providing visitors with meaningful experiences.

In particular, the county has strengthened historical education content that resonates with all generations through a variety of promotional programs, including the "Geochang Incident Outreach Education Program," "Geochang Incident Promotion Booth," "Geochang Incident Youth Literary Contest," and the "Geochang Incident Pilgrimage Certification Challenge."

Group photo of the Jinhae Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association visiting the Geochang Incident Memorial Site Office.

Additionally, the creation of seasonal flower gardens offers visitors the opportunity to encounter history amidst nature. The timing of the blooming of various flowers has contributed to increased word-of-mouth, playing a significant role in attracting more visitors from across the country.

As a result of these efforts, there has been a noticeable increase in group visitors recently. In particular, since May 20, organizations that share similar historical pain, such as the Yeosun Incident Support Group and the Vietnam Veterans Association, have continued to visit, marking an important occasion to strengthen solidarity in remembrance and sacrifice.

Furthermore, the park is gaining attention as a site for experiential learning for schools at all levels, with local elementary schools conducting field trips. This is playing a significant role in instilling a correct understanding of history in future generations.

In addition, the county has received positive feedback for developing the memorial park into a space for healing and regeneration, beyond just a historical site, by adding a "barefoot sand path" following last year's creation of the nation's first "barefoot kaolin path" at the Geochang Incident Memorial Park.

Meanwhile, the Geochang Incident Memorial Park was established to commemorate the victims of the "Geochang Incident," in which, over three days from February 9 to 11, 1951, during the Korean War, 719 innocent residents were massacred by ROK Army forces under the pretext of anti-communist operations in Sinwon-myeon, Geochang County, Gyeongsangnam-do.

Located on a 162,425-square-meter site in Sinwon-myeon, construction began in 1998 and was completed in 2004. The park continues to serve as an educational space that remembers the painful history and reaffirms the values of peace and human rights.