Gurye-gun Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Excavation of Yeosun Incident Victims’ Remains

Gurye-gun and the Yeosu-Suncheon 10·19 Incident Fact-Finding and Victims’ Honor Restoration Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Yeosun Incident Committee") announced that on December 4, they held a groundbreaking ceremony for the excavation of the remains of the Yeosun Incident victims at the Gurye-gun Culture and Arts Center, attended by more than 50 bereaved family members and personnel involved in the "Yeosun Incident Victims’ Remains Excavation Project."

The ceremony began with a welcoming address by Kim Soonho, Mayor of Gurye-gun, followed by memorial speeches from Lee Kyujong, President of the Gurye Bereaved Families Association for the Yeosun 10·19 Incident, and Ko Ungjo, Head of the Yeosu-Suncheon 10·19 Incident Support Group. The event continued with a memorial ritual to honor the victims and a briefing session on the project.

The Yeosun Incident Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony for the excavation of the remains of the victims of the Yeosun Incident on the 4th at the Gurye-gun Culture and Arts Center, attended by more than 50 bereaved families and personnel involved in the "Yeosun Incident Victims' Remains Excavation Project." Provided by Gurye-gun

This excavation project, organized by the Yeosun Incident Committee, is part of the honor restoration initiatives stipulated in the "Yeosun Incident Act." In the preliminary survey conducted by the implementing agency, Ilyeong Cultural Heritage Research Institute, during the first week of this month, multiple bullets and shell casings, as well as parts of victims’ arms, bones, and femurs, were discovered. These findings are expected to provide important clues for resolving the bereaved families’ grievances and clarifying the extent of damage suffered by Gurye-gun at the time.

The Yeosun Incident Committee plans to expedite the preservation of the excavation site and the preliminary survey, as there are concerns that the buried remains may be damaged due to cold weather and soil moisture.

Kim Soonho, Mayor of Gurye-gun, stated, "Since the enactment of the Yeosun Incident Act, I have encountered many reports of damage from bereaved families, which made me realize the urgent need for thorough fact-finding, compensation, and support to restore the rights of the bereaved. I sincerely hope that the souls of the departed victims will finally find peace and be able to rest in comfort."