Gyeonggi Province holds 81st anniversary memorial for atomic bomb victims, calls for a world without nuclear weapons

Gyeonggi Province hosted a memorial ceremony on Thursday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings, bringing together survivors, descendants, and officials to reflect on the past and advocate for a nuclear-free future. The event, organized by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Gyeonggi Atomic Bomb Victims Association, aimed to honor victims and acknowledge the suffering of survivors and their families.

Governor Choo Mi-ae delivered a commemorative address, criticizing Japan's stance on nuclear weapons and urging a stronger global commitment to disarmament. "In this situation, the atomic bomb victims are raising their voices to the entire world. We must speak out more so that the victims can become a light and we can achieve a world without nuclear weapons," Choo stated. She emphasized the need for this message to resonate as a warning against movements that threaten world peace.

A new feature of this year's ceremony was an international testimony session. Myra Abenova, a victim of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan and a human rights activist, shared her experiences. She described the devastating health consequences, including cancer and congenital diseases, affecting residents and descendants near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, where 456 tests were conducted between 1949 and 1989. "I am afraid that our blood will be passed on to our children," she conveyed, representing the voices of affected residents.

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In this situation, the atomic bomb victims are raising their voices to the entire world. We must speak out more so that the victims can become a light and we can achieve a world without nuclear weapons.

Petusche Gilbert, president of the World Indigenous Peoples Association and a member of the Acoma Pueblo tribe in the United States, also testified. Gilbert detailed the environmental and health impacts on indigenous lands used for the first atomic bomb tests and nuclear research facilities. He highlighted the ongoing threat posed by abandoned uranium mines and processing facilities in areas like the Navajo Nation and Acoma Pueblo, polluting soil, rivers, and groundwater.

Both speakers stressed that the harm from nuclear activities extends beyond specific historical events or national borders, continuing to affect communities and future generations. They called for international solidarity to support victims, restore contaminated areas, and prevent nuclear proliferation. In South Korea, approximately 8,500 people, including survivors and their descendants, have been affected by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with about 1,000 residing in Gyeonggi Province. The province continues to support survivors through living allowances and healthcare benefits.

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I am afraid that our blood will be passed on to our children.