Remains of Victims from the Yeosun Incident Massacre Excavated After 75 Years

Representative So Byung-chul, who spearheaded the legislation, announced that the government-led excavation of remains under the enforcement of the “Special Act on the Investigation of the Truth and Restoration of Honor for the Victims of the Yeosu-Suncheon 10.19 Incident” (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Yeosun Incident Special Act’), which passed the National Assembly for the first time in 73 years, has resulted in the first discovery of civilian remains from a mass massacre on a hillside in Daedeok-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do.

The remains of the victims of the Yeosun Incident, revealed to the world after 75 years, starkly exposed the tragedy of that time.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony held at the excavation site of the Yeosun Incident remains in Daedeok-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
Photo by Jeollanam-do

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In a statement, Representative So said, “The excavation of remains at the Daedeok massacre site in Damyang is the first achievement obtained from the on-site investigation and excavation of remains at presumed mass massacre sites following the enforcement of the Yeosun Incident Special Act. We strongly urge the government to significantly expand manpower and budget to accelerate the slow progress of truth investigation and restoration of honor regarding the Yeosun Incident.”

Meanwhile, based on Article 3 of the Yeosun Incident Special Act, the Yeosu-Suncheon 10.19 Incident Truth Investigation and Victims’ Honor Restoration Committee (hereinafter ‘Yeosun Committee’) was established to deliberate and decide on matters related to “investigation of mass massacre sites, secret burial sites, and excavation and recovery of remains.”

Accordingly, the Yeosun Committee conducted on-site investigations of presumed mass massacre sites and proceeded with the excavation and forensic examination of victims’ remains.

The remains discovered this time in Damyang provide the first direct evidence confirming the historical fact that numerous civilians were unjustly and tragically sacrificed during the Yeosun Incident.

Currently, in addition to Daedeok-myeon, Damyang-gun, excavations are underway at a total of three locations, including Hoetgol in Ipyeong-ri, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun.

The excavation investigates both the mass massacre sites and secret burial grounds, which had been passed down through oral tradition, to verify the scale and patterns of the damage, thereby bringing the truth investigation of the Yeosun Incident closer to completion.

Representative So Byung-chul said, “Although many years have passed, I hope that the remains of the victims who were unjustly sacrificed will be fully recovered and returned to their families, bringing some comfort to their deep-seated grief.”

Suncheon = Lee Yeon-kyung, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy hss79@asiae.co.kr

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