A Heavy Resonance Beneath the Foothills of Jirisan: A Record of the Sancheong·Hamyang Incident Memorial Park

An Unfamiliar Name, Yet a Record That Must Never Be Forgotten

Following the winding roads of Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do, and heading deep into the foothills of Jirisan (Mountain), there is a place where silence lingers heavily. At 530, Hwagaeobong-ro, Geumseo-myeon, Sancheong-gun, lies the 'Sancheong·Hamyang Incident Memorial Park'. In truth, the expression 'space of memory' suits this place far better than the term 'travel destination'. As I opened the car window, the cool breeze of Jirisan (Mountain) brushed against my nose, and the surrounding mountain ridges seemed to be looking down in silence, as if embracing a painful history.

This is a joint cemetery where the spirits of 705 civilians, who were sacrificed in a tragic event during the Korean War in 1951, rest. It is a space meticulously established over four years starting in 2001 to honor the souls of those who were innocently sacrificed under a military operation known as 'Gyeonbyeokcheongya' (scorched-earth policy). The silence felt the moment I entered the entrance of the cemetery was not merely quietness, but felt like a heavy question posed to us by history.

Reflecting on the Meaning of Peace While Walking Through the Cemetery

Walking among the well-kept tombstones, the sensation of the soil under my feet feels anew. Standing in front of the memorial tower and looking up, I saw the mountain ridges spreading peacefully under the blue sky. It felt unreal that just over 70 years ago, those who must have been someone's family had to close their eyes unjustly on this peaceful land.

Looking around every corner of the cemetery, I thought again about the absolute value of human life and the responsibility of descendants to write a history of justice. The memorial park is not just a place that displays the tragedies of the past, but serves as an open-air educational site where we learn how valuable the peace we enjoy today is and why human rights must be prioritized above all else. In this place, devoid of any artificial noise, all I could hear was the sound of the wind shaking the leaves and my own footsteps.

Warm Advice for Travelers

When visiting the memorial park, it is better to empty your mind rather than planning a flashy travel itinerary. The surroundings have preserved the nature of Sancheong as it is, so colorful autumn foliage welcomes visitors in autumn, and refreshing greenery greets them in spring. Personally, I prefer visiting around 10 AM, when the sun begins to illuminate the cemetery just right. Nearby attractions such as the route to Jirisan (Mountain) Cheonwangbong (Peak) or Donguibogam Village (Donguibogam-chon) are close by, so linking them when planning your route will make for a deeper Sancheong trip.

To get there, enter '530, Hwagaeobong-ro, Geumseo-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do' into your navigation system. Since you will arrive after passing through winding roads, I hope you drive slowly and enjoy the surrounding scenery if it is your first time. As this is a place of solemn remembrance rather than a tourist attraction, I ask that you stay with a quiet and calm mindset.