YANGJU, South Korea — Near the site of one of South Korea’s most emotive tragedies, dozens of mourners gathered Friday to remember the lives of two schoolgirls and hope for better times ahead.
The occasion was the annual memorial for Shim Mi-seon and Shin Hyo-sun, two middle school friends who lived in this mountainous village about one hour’s drive north of the capital, Seoul, close to the border with North Korea. U.S. troops are stationed nearby and heavy vehicles regularly rumble along the area’s narrow roads conducting exercises.
