77th Joint Memorial Ceremony for the Yeosu-Suncheon 10·19 Incident
Kim Youngrok: "Doing Our Utmost to Restore the Honor of Victims and Bereaved Families"
Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, is offering flowers and incense at the '77th Anniversary Joint Memorial Ceremony for the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident' held on the 19th at the Jirisan History and Culture Center in Gurye-gun, attended by Prime Minister Kim Minseok and bereaved families. Provided by Jeonnam Province
The 77th Joint Memorial Ceremony for the Yeosu-Suncheon 10·19 Incident was solemnly held on October 19 at the Jirisan History and Culture Center in Gurye, under the theme "The Pain of That Day, Now Shared by All of Korea."
Approximately 800 people, including Park Sunho, Executive Representative of the Yeosu-Suncheon Resistance Bereaved Families Association, bereaved family members, Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Youngrok, Democratic Party leader Chung Cheongrae, Basic Income Party leader Yong Hyein, Reform Party floor leader Chun Haram, National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee Chair Shin Jeonghoon, National Assembly members Lee Gaeho, Seo Samseok, Joo Cheolhyeon, Lim Ohkyung, Cho Gyeweon, Kim Moonsu, Kwon Hyangyeop, Kim Younghwan, Jeollanam-do Provincial Council Chair Kim Taegyun, Gurye County Governor Kim Soonho, Yeosu Mayor Jeong Inhwa, Gwangyang Mayor Jeong Inhwa, Gokseong County Governor Jo Sangrae, and Boseong County Governor Kim Cheolwoo, as well as other key figures and local leaders attended the ceremony.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the ringing of the Peace Bell seven times, symbolizing both the seven years of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident and the 77th anniversary. The program continued with a video report, flower offering and incense burning, memorial speeches, readings of bereaved families' stories, and a commemorative performance.
One bereaved family story used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enable a meeting between a victim and his son after 77 years. As the video played, family members and attendees were deeply moved, many with tears in their eyes. As one family member said, "The moment I heard my beloved mother's voice again, it felt as if 77 years had come to a halt," offering comfort for painful memories.
The memorial song "Sandong Aega," which commemorates the tragedy of over 1,000 people who lost their lives in Sandong-myeon, Gurye, at Jirisan, was performed as a changgeuk (Korean traditional opera), providing an opportunity to heal regional pain through art.
Philosopher Do-ol Kim Yongok personally attended to deliver a peace message, stating, "Peace simultaneously preserves the value of tragedy," and added, "Only today, as we newly recognize the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion as the Yeosu-Suncheon People's Uprising, can we finally cry out for a revolution of light."
This memorial ceremony marks the fourth government-supported event since the enactment of the special law, reaffirming the government's official commitment to remembrance and reconciliation at the national level.
On social media, President Lee Jaemyung stated, "As president, I promise to take every possible measure with a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that there are never again innocent victims of state violence."
In his official memorial address, Prime Minister Kim Minseok said, "The government will thoroughly uncover the truth through the Truth Investigation Task Force until the full facts of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident are revealed," and added, "We will do our utmost to complete the review process for victims and bereaved families within the set timeframe."
He continued, "The government will work together to help heal the pain of victims and bereaved families who have suffered for so many years due to state violence."
In his memorial address, Governor Kim Youngrok emphasized, "The Yeosu-Suncheon Incident marked the beginning of state violence, leading to the first martial law in Korea's history. Uncovering the truth is not just about correcting the past, but about confirming that the people are the true owners of the nation and ensuring such tragedies never happen again in the future."
He also stated, "We will do our best to prepare the truth investigation report and pursue follow-up memorial projects so that the truth of the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident is fully revealed and the honor of victims and bereaved families is truly restored. Jeollanam-do will work closely with the government to ensure thorough preparation."
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