President Lee Jae-myung stated on October 21 that he will intensify efforts to uncover the truth behind the state violence committed during the Sa-Buk Democratic Uprising and restore the honor of its victims.
In a speech delivered by Song Sang-kyo, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, at the 46th anniversary commemoration of the Sa-Buk Democratic Uprising, President Lee said, "I will work harder to ensure that the history of Sa-Buk remains one of dignity and justice, rather than pain and silence."
He emphasized that uncovering even one more truth buried in the shadows is the only path to true healing and reconciliation for the victims.
President Lee noted that while Sa-Buk contributed significantly to South Korea's coal production and national growth, it also bore the scars of miners who risked their lives in harsh conditions and suffered from state power abuses.
He described the miners' demands as a desperate plea for their basic right to live with dignity and for the respect of labor rights.
He criticized the government's violent response to the situation, stating that instead of resolving the crisis, state power resorted to violence and unjustly stigmatized the miners. He remarked, "The harsh arrests, torture, and decades of discrimination led to the collapse of a community."
President Lee acknowledged that while the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has begun to reveal the realities of state violence, it remains insufficient to heal the deep-seated grievances and wounds of the victims over the years. He extended his condolences to the miners, their families, and the victims of Sa-Buk.
The Sa-Buk Democratic Uprising was a labor and democratization movement initiated in April 1980 by miners at Dongwon Coal Mine in Sa-Buk-eup, Jeongseon County, demanding better wages and working conditions. During the suppression, state violence, including illegal detentions and torture, was perpetrated by martial law authorities. The government is currently pursuing victim recovery following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's findings in 2024.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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