Gyeongseo Middle School Bus Tragedy, Truth Revealed After 56 Years: "Teachers' Reputation Must Be Restored" (Kkokkomu) [Summary]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Kkokkomu" shed light on the harrowing details of the Gyeongseo Middle School field trip bus tragedy that occurred in 1970 and the truth that was only revealed after several decades.

SBS's "The Story of That Day, Tailing the Tail" (hereinafter "Kkokkomu"), broadcast on the 1st, featured the episode "Nightmare Field Trip," with broadcaster Jung Yi-rang, ONEUS's Geon-hee, and Bolbbalgan4's An Ji-young appearing as listeners to follow the traces of the tragic incident at the time.

On this day, "Kkokkomu" recorded a 3.0% viewership rating in the metropolitan area and nationwide, ranking first among all educational and entertainment programs during the same time slot, proving its immense popularity. (Based on Nielsen Korea)

In October 1970, approximately 470 third-year students and 11 teachers from Gyeongseo Middle School in Mapo, Seoul, set out on a day-trip field trip to Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. At the time, nine classes were divided among seven buses, resulting in an overcrowded state where more than 70 people crammed into each bus with a capacity of 39. In particular, Bus No. 3, which carried students from Classes 3 and 4, was packed to the brim with as many as 77 students.

At 4 p.m., while returning after completing the itinerary, Bus No. 3, heading toward Cheonan, entered a railroad crossing. Despite the warning alarm sounding, the bus driver did not stop but pressed the accelerator and attempted to force through, resulting in a direct collision with a train. The train pushed the bus for approximately 80 meters before finally coming to a halt. As the engine and fuel tank at the front of the bus exploded, flames instantly engulfed the entire vehicle.

Rescue efforts were fraught with difficulties. The bus body was severely crushed, and protective bars on the windows blocked escape routes, trapping most of the students. Nearby residents and following students rushed over to break the windows with stones and attempt a rescue, but they helplessly paced in front of the fierce flames and smoke. This accident resulted in 32 injured and 46 dead, including the bus driver, at the scene alone, recording it as the most devastating bus tragedy since liberation.

Listener Geon-hee expressed regret, saying, "I would have panicked if I were there," while Jung Yi-rang said, "After having a child, the accident doesn't feel like someone else's story," unable to hold back her tears. An Ji-young also lamented, "It is harrowing," adding, "We went with excited hearts, but it became a painful memory we wanted to forget."

In addition to unreasonable overcrowding, the poor on-site environment was cited as a cause of the accident. The crossing where the accident occurred was left neglected as a Class 3 crossing without barriers or attendants, despite having a daily traffic volume of 5,000 vehicles. It was confirmed that the Korea Railroad Corporation at the time left a mill that obstructed visibility in place due to lack of consultation with the Ministry of Construction and did not even upgrade the crossing's classification, citing budget shortages, thereby increasing the risk of tragedy.

Furthermore, facts that had been distorted at the time of the tragedy were corrected for the first time through this "Kkokkomu." At the time, media reported that teachers had abandoned students or fled after the accident, but survivors who were students then unanimously stated that it was not true at all, saying, "The reputation of the teachers must be restored." The truth that the accompanying teachers could not board the bus because Bus No. 3 departed without authorization while they were looking for a tardy student was finally revealed to the world through this "Kkokkomu" after 56 years.

A temporary mortuary was set up at Gyeongseo Middle School in the early hours of the day after the tragedy, but a tragedy continued where even bereaved families could not identify their children due to severe damage to the bodies. Consequently, National Forensic Service staff were dispatched to conduct dental examinations, and the identities of all 45 deceased were confirmed, allowing them to be reunited with their families. Subsequently, a student receiving hospital treatment died, bringing the final number of student deaths to 46. Seeing photos of the joint funeral at the time, Jung Yi-rang said, "This is something that should never happen again," unable to continue speaking.

In the graduation album published the following year, the faces of the victims who did not return were included along with the heartbreaking phrase "Lost Stars." A student who had suffered severe burns all over his body and cut off contact due to trauma miraculously reunited with classmates through the broadcast after 56 years. Surviving students visit the cemetery every October to mourn their friends who passed away, filling their pain with warm friendship.

Jang Hyun-sung, Jang Sung-gyu, and Jang Do-yeon emphasized, "We hope that the Gyeongseo Middle School tragedy is not forgotten for a long time. We have experienced major tragedies even after this one. The tragedy of children being sacrificed due to adults' mistakes must never be repeated."

Meanwhile, "Kkokkomu" airs every Thursday at 10:20 p.m.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.