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On behalf of the United States of America, I deeply regret that Korean
civilians lost their lives at No Gun Ri in late July, 1950. The intensive,
yearlong investigation into this incident has served as a painful reminder
of the tragedies of war and the scars they leave behind on people and
on nations.
Although we have been unable to determine precisely the events that
occurred at No Gun Ri, the U.S. and South Korean governments have concluded
in the Statement of Mutual Understanding that an unconfirmed number
of innocent Korean refugees were killed or injured there. To those Koreans
who lost loved ones at No Gun Ri, I offer my condolences. Many Americans
have experienced the anguish of innocent casualties of war. We understand
and sympathize with the sense of loss and sorrow that remains even after
a half a century has passed. I sincerely hope that the memorial the
United States will construct to these and all other innocent Korean
civilians killed during the war will bring a measure of solace and closure.
The commemorative scholarship fund that we will launch will serve as
a living tribute to their memory.
As we honor those civilians who fell victim to this conflict, let us
not forget that pain is not the only legacy of the Korean War. American
and Korean veterans fought shoulder to shoulder in the harshest of conditions
for the cause of freedom, and they prevailed. The vibrancy of democracy
in the Republic of Korea, the strong alliance between our two countries,
and the closeness of our two peoples today is a testament to the sacrifices
made by both of our nations fifty years ago.
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