Geochang-gun, Promotion of the 70th Anniversary Commemoration Project of the Geochang Incident

Geochang Incident Pilgrimage Certification Relay, Literary Contest, and Peace Prayer Open Concert
Commemorative Events Scheduled Under the Theme of 'Memory, Companionship, and Peace'

Geochang-gun Sinwon-myeon Geochang Incident Memorial Park panorama (Photo by Geochang-gun)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang County in Gyeongnam is planning various commemorative projects to mark the 70th anniversary of the Geochang Incident, to honor the victims, heal the bereaved families, and sustain peace without war.

The Geochang Incident was a case during the Korean War in which, from February 9 to February 11, 1951, over three days, military forces massacred 719 residents in Sinwon-myeon, Geochang County, during an operation to suppress communist guerrillas in Jirisan.

This incident is rare among civilian massacres during the Korean War in that the perpetrators were found guilty by a court shortly after the event, objectively proving the illegality of state actions.

The county is carrying out annual commemorative projects with 1.1 billion KRW in national funding received from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to promote the 70th anniversary projects.

The commemorative projects include promotional banners, the Geochang Incident Pilgrimage Certification Relay event, the 33rd Joint Memorial Ceremony and the 70th Anniversary Geochang Incident Victims Memorial Service, literary contests, guest lectures by notable figures, an open concert praying for peace, and finally, the 14th Geochang Chrysanthemum Exhibition.

These efforts aim to restore the honor of the victims and their families through historical education that looks deeply into this dark history and to build public consensus for the enactment of a special law concerning compensation for the Geochang Incident victims.

Gu In-mo, the mayor of Geochang County, emphasized, “It is very important to build nationwide consensus for the complete restoration of honor and the enactment of a special compensation law for the victims and families of the Geochang Incident. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary this year, we will do our best to remember the Geochang Incident and make it an opportunity to deeply engrave the importance of peace in our hearts.”

Currently, the “Special Act on Compensation for the Geochang Incident and Related Persons of the Sancheong and Hamyang Incidents” has been proposed in the National Assembly, and lawmakers, Geochang County, the Geochang County Council, and the bereaved families’ association are making multifaceted efforts to enact the law.

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