Mungyeong holds 76th memorial for Bodo League massacre victims

The Mungyeong National Bodo League Bereaved Families Association held the 76th joint memorial service Wednesday to honor victims killed by state authorities during the Korean War.

About 80 people, including bereaved family members and local figures, attended the ceremony. They read memorial addresses, laid flowers and burned incense to mourn the victims and console their families.

The National Bodo League incident refers to the mass killing of civilians across the country in the immediate aftermath of the Korean War's outbreak. A 2009 investigation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Korea established the full facts of the case.

The association has held an annual joint memorial service since 2010 to pursue the restoration of the victims' honor and carry on commemorative efforts.

"I hope this memorial service becomes an opportunity to console the souls of the victims and bring peace and historical healing to the community through truth and reconciliation," said Kim Yun-jin, chair of the bereaved families association.

Mungyeong Mayor Kim Hak-hong said restoring the honor of those who were unjustly killed and healing the wounds of history is "our responsibility," adding that the city would join efforts to spread the value of peace.