Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: Vietnam welcomes Seoul Court of Appeals' ruling on Quang Nam massacre

Người phát ngôn Bộ Ngoại giao: Việt Nam hoan nghênh phán quyết của Tòa phúc thẩm Seoul về thảm sát Quảng Nam

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.

"Vietnam welcomes the recent ruling of the Seoul Court of Appeals, a ruling that reflects historical truth, contributing to realizing the spirit of 'putting the past behind, looking towards the future'.

With this viewpoint, Vietnam wishes to work with Korea to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries; take practical actions to overcome the consequences of war, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the friendship and good cooperative relations between the two countries and peoples."

Recently, the Seoul Court of Appeals ruled that the Korean government should pay more than 30 million won ($20,000) in compensation to the victims of the Quang Nam massacre.

In 2020, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh filed a lawsuit against the South Korean government for compensation for the massacre of 74 people by the 2nd Marine Brigade in Phong Nhat - Phong Nhi village, Dien An commune, Quang Nam province, on February 12, 1968. Ms. Thanh was one of the few survivors.

She was 8 years old at the time and was wounded in the abdomen. The soldiers killed her mother and two sisters, burned down the house and then left. Being orphaned, Ms. Thanh had to work as a hired hand and was not able to go to school.

After the Seoul Court of Appeals' verdict, Ms. Thanh expressed her joy that justice had been served, saying that the verdict was somewhat a consolation for the deceased victim. Ms. Thanh said that if she received compensation, she would use it to help other victims, "not take it all for herself."

Mr. Kwon Hyun Woo, Head of the Korea-Vietnam Peace Foundation Office, said Ms. Thanh is pursuing the lawsuit for the truth, not for compensation. Mr. Kwon added that it is difficult for victims of all massacres to file lawsuits due to the lack of legal evidence. Therefore, since 2020, many Korean social organizations and bar associations have requested the National Assembly to enact a special law to investigate the truth about the crimes committed by the Korean military during the Vietnam War.