Yeosu-Suncheon Incident: Search for Unregistered Victims... Records and Testimony to Be Collected

Aiming to complete the truth investigation report by April 2027

Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City said it would collect remaining records and testimony to identify unregistered victims of the Yeosu-Suncheon 10.19 Incident and work to return excavated remains to their families. With the completion of the truth investigation report scheduled for April 2027, the city plans to focus on identifying victims and restoring the honor of their bereaved families.

At the joint memorial ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of the Yeosu-Suncheon 10.19 Incident, held at Ocheon Green Plaza in Suncheon on October 19, Mayor Min Hyeongbae said, "We will not simply wait for people to come forward to report victims; we will first set out to find those who have yet to be identified. We will seek out and gather remaining records and testimony, and do everything we can to ensure that excavated remains are returned to their families."

Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyungbae chats with key guests at the 78th Yeosu-Suncheon 10.19 Incident Joint Memorial Ceremony, held on the 19th at Ocheon Green Square in Suncheon. Provided by Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City.

The ceremony also underscored the state's responsibility for establishing the truth and restoring the victims' honor.

The presidential memorial address, read aloud by Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung, said that the state's responsibility must continue even after the relevant law was enacted and the truth investigation began. It also expressed the government's resolve to pursue an investigation into the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident as a national policy priority, complete the truth investigation report, and restore the honor of the victims and their bereaved families.

This was the first time a presidential memorial address had been read aloud at a joint memorial ceremony. At last year's 77th-anniversary ceremony, the president sent a message of remembrance through social media.

Time was also set aside for families to share their stories.

Park Gyeongjin recounted the story of his father, the late Prosecutor Park Chan-gil, who was killed during the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, and spoke of the pain his family had endured and their wish for the truth to be established.

About 800 people, including bereaved family members and local residents, attended the ceremony, held under the theme, "After 78 years of waiting, the Republic of Korea will now complete the truth of Yeosu." The program included a moment of silence for the victims, flower-laying and incense offerings, readings from works that won the Peace Literary Award, an original music drama, and a group performance of memorial songs. An online memorial hall was also available for bereaved family members and residents who could not attend in person.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.