▲ Bereaved family members weep during the 49th-day memorial service for the late Lee Chae-won, held at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education's Citizens' Cooperation Promotion Center in Sinchang-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 21st.
"I thought you would be my best friend by my side for 5, 10 years and beyond... Thank you, Chae-won, for making a flawed friend like me shine."
This was the scene at the 49th-day memorial service for the late Lee Chae-won (17), a victim of the Gwangju high school girl stabbing incident, held on the afternoon of the 21st at the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education's Citizens' Cooperation Promotion Center in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
Kim (17), a best friend who took the podium to represent their peers and read a final letter, repeatedly broke down in tears as she shared words she could never deliver in person.
Struggling to speak through heavy sighs, Kim sobbed, "It has been 49 days since you left, but I still look at the photos we took together before I go to sleep. Our trip to Yeosu, where we ate burgers and rode the cable car together, was the happiest moment of my life."
She continued, "You were always a friend who spoke kindly to me and embraced me, but I have only regrets because I couldn't do the same for you. When I turn around in the classroom, I only see your empty seat now, and I feel so hollow, sorry, and I miss you."
As Kim broke down and was unable to continue during the five-minute reading, the bereaved family comforted her, and mourners bowed their heads and sobbed.
Lee's father, who took the podium for the final part of the ceremony, also wept, saying, "I don't know when it will be, but when our family meets in heaven, let's fly around like butterflies. Thank you for being born as Mom and Dad's daughter, and for being such a kind older sister."
When the moderator mentioned that the 20th, the day before the memorial service, was the birthday of Lee's mother, the mourners could not hide their heartbreak.
The memorial committee for Lee Chae-won, composed of local civic and labor groups including the Gwangju-Jeonnam Memorial Solidarity, held the 49th-day service on this day to honor her soul.
Although the actual 49th day falls on today (the 22nd), the service was moved up by one day in consideration of the trial for Jang Yun-gi (23), who was arrested and indicted on charges including murder.
The memorial service, held in four parts under the themes of remembrance, mourning, comfort, promises of solidarity, and farewell, was attended by approximately 200 people, including the bereaved family, friends, and labor union officials.
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung, Gwangsan-gu District Mayor Park Byeong-gyu, and National Assembly member Im Mun-young also visited the memorial space set up on the first floor of the center to offer flowers and pay their respects.
In particular, upon hearing that Lee had dreamed of becoming an emergency medical technician, the Gwangju Fire Branch of the Korean Government Employees' Union presented an honorary firefighter certificate, which they had produced themselves, to the bereaved family.
The trial for Jang Yun-gi, who was arrested and indicted for the murder of Lee, will be held today at the Gwangju District Court, and local women's groups plan to hold a press conference before the trial to demand a stern punishment.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.