Solved case · 1950
The short answer
Between 9 and 31 October 1950, police in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, summarily executed 153 unarmed civilians and their family members at a former gold mine on suspicion of sympathizing with North Korea, following the Second Battle of Seoul.
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Suggest coverage for Goyang Geumjeong Cave massacreFollowing the South Korean-led recapture of Seoul in the Second Battle of Seoul during the Korean War, South Korean authorities in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, arrested individuals suspected of sympathizing with North Korean forces. Between 9 October 1950 and 31 October 1950, police detained these individuals along with their families and summarily executed them at the site of a former gold mine known as Geumjeong Cave. In total, 153 unarmed civilians were killed. The killings occurred around the same time as the Namyangju massacre in the neighboring area of Namyangju.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Korea), which later investigated the killings, found that most of the 153 victims, including eight teenagers and seven women, had no relation to rebel or partisan activity.
In 1995, families of the victims excavated the remains of the 153 people killed at the site. Years later, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission examined the case as part of its broader review of wartime and postwar civilian killings in South Korea.
In June 2006, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on the South Korean government to apologize to victims' families and erect a memorial at the site. The government did not act on this recommendation. In 2007, the Commission renewed its demand, calling for an apology, compensation, and a memorial; the government again declined to act on these recommendations.
The matter subsequently went before the courts. On 28 November 2011, the Seoul Central District Court ordered the South Korean government to apologize to victims' families, pay reparations, and fund a memorial commemorating those killed.
Police in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do begin arresting and summarily executing individuals suspected of sympathizing with North Korea, along with their families, at a former gold mine site (Geumjeong Cave).
The period of killings at Geumjeong Cave ends; 153 unarmed civilians had been killed in total.
Families of the victims excavate the remains of the 153 people killed at the site.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission demands the South Korean government apologize and erect a monument for the victims; the government does not act on the recommendation.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission renews its demand for an apology, compensation, and a memorial for the victims; the government again does not act.
The Seoul central court orders the South Korean government to apologize, pay reparations, and fund a memorial to the victims' families.
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