Bae Eun-sim, born in 1940, was an ordinary housewife living in Gwangju. Like any mother, her world revolved around her children. Her pride and joy, her son Lee Han-yeol, had moved to Seoul for his university studies.
On June 9, 1987, her world shattered. She received word that her son had been struck by a tear gas canister during a pro-democracy protest. She rushed to the intensive care unit, where she spent 27 agonizing nights by his side. A photograph of her son, bleeding and collapsed, was published in newspapers worldwide. This single image ignited a firestorm of public fury, leading to the "June Struggle" that eventually forced the military dictatorship to concede to direct presidential elections.
Tragically, Lee Han-yeol never heard the news. On July 5, 1987, he passed away, becoming a martyr for Korean democracy.
From that day forward, Bae Eun-sim stepped out of her kitchen and onto the front lines of the movement. Though she had only a primary school education, her words were firmer and more grounded than any scholar's. She dedicated her life to restoring the honor of those sacrificed in the struggle for democracy. She sued the state and the officers responsible for her son's death; though the criminal case was dismissed, she won a civil judgment of 100 million won. Refusing to spend a penny of "the price of her son's blood," she used the money to purchase a small house and hung a plaque that read: "Lee Han-yeol Memorial Hall."
To other grieving families, she was a pillar of strength, often saying, "Stay strong. There will be even more heart-wrenching days ahead."
On the morning of January 9, 2022, after a life of relentless struggle, Bae Eun-sim passed away. Among her belongings was a small, handwritten note:
"Still, I miss him. I want to see my son, Han-yeol."
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