Institutional Foundation Established for Memorializing the Amtakgol Massacre in Dodeok-dong
Basis Laid for Peace and Human Rights Education
The Gwangsan District Council in Gwangju has established an institutional foundation for memorial projects to console the victims of civilian massacres that occurred in the region before and after the Korean War.
According to the Gwangsan District Council on September 6, an ordinance bill titled "Ordinance on Support for Memorial Projects for Civilian Victims Before and After the Korean War in Gwangsan District," sponsored by Assemblyman Yoon Youngil, has passed the standing committee review and is awaiting a vote at the plenary session. The ordinance allows for the implementation of memorial projects and policies to honor civilians who were wrongfully killed by the military and police, and to heal the pain experienced by the local community.
In fact, during the Korean War, an incident occurred in the Amtakgol area of Dodeok-dong, Gwangsan District, where more than 500 civilians were collectively killed by soldiers and police. The ordinance stipulates that the district mayor may carry out memorial projects for the victims, maintain and manage memorial towers, and promote educational programs for peace and human rights, as well as provide budgetary support for these initiatives.
The eligibility criteria for supporting civilian victims and the standards for related work are to be based on fact-finding investigations by national institutions such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission or judicial decisions. Assemblyman Yoon stated, "Recognizing the wrongdoing of the state and restoring the honor of civilian victims and their bereaved families is the starting point for setting history right."
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