2063 Reports Received from Bereaved Families of Victims for Truth Investigation of Yeosun Incident

Published 25 Jan.2023 14:27(KST)

Extension of Reporting Period and Establishment of Compensation Basis

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon] Yeosu City in Jeollanam-do announced that, according to the enforcement of the ‘Yeosun Incident Act,’ from January 21, 2022, to January 20 of this year, a total of 2,063 cases were reported and received, including 2,032 cases of victims and bereaved families and 31 cases of fact-finding related to the Yeosun Incident.

Although the number of reports is somewhat low compared to the estimated scale of damage at the time, considering that 75 years have passed since the incident and most surviving victims and bereaved families are elderly, as well as refusals to report due to anti-communist trauma, it is seen as a modest achievement.

A total of 2,063 cases were reported and received regarding the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, including 2,032 cases of victims and bereaved families and 31 cases of fact-finding investigations.
Photo by Yeosu City

The city has made active efforts to ensure no omissions in damage reports, which are the first step toward restoring the honor of victims and bereaved families.

From the early stages of reporting and reception, efforts were made to improve the reporting rate through visiting town and township briefings, one-stop reporting services, group studies to enhance staff expertise, and promotional policies.

Additionally, ahead of the reporting deadline, the city encouraged unregistered applicants to report and, in collaboration with the Yeosu Community Research Institute, promoted third-party special reporting for about 900 unregistered cases.

The reported cases will undergo individual fact-finding investigations, followed by review by the ‘Yeosun Incident Working Committee’ under Jeollanam-do, and final decisions will be made through deliberation by the ‘Yeosun Incident Committee’ under the Prime Minister’s Office.

Accordingly, the city plans to focus administrative efforts on fact-finding investigations for about 2,000 cases to ensure swift decisions regarding victims and bereaved families.

Jeong Gi-myeong, Mayor of Yeosu, stated, “We will continue efforts to amend the Yeosun Incident Act, which includes extending the damage reporting period, providing medical and living support funds to bereaved families, establishing grounds for compensation, designating October 19, the date of the Yeosun Incident, as a national memorial day, and allowing the Yeosun Incident Committee to make ex officio decisions on victims based on the results of the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission investigation.”