Dark chapter in Jeju's history remembered in central Seoul
- 5 years ago
제주4.3 71주년, 동백꽃 물결 타고 평화 인권 메시지 만방에
Jeju Island is known as one of Korea's most popular holiday destinations.
But an incident there decades ago was one of the most tragic chapters of South Korea's turbulent modern history.
Our Won Jung-hwan has this report on the April 3rd Jeju Incident, and how it's being remembered today.
On April 3rd of 1948, public anger came to the fore, when repressed civilians staged an uprising against police and right-wing groups,... resulting in a period of turmoil on Jeju island.
More than 10-thousand islanders are estimated to have been killed and nearly 3-thousand-6-hundred went missing during clashes between the government and civilians from 1948 to 1954.
To commemorate and raise public awareness of the April Third Jeju Incident that happened 71 years ago,... a 5-day event is being held at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul.
While those passing through the public space can get a glimpse of the history,... it seems that with the passing of time, the incident is fading from memory.
In a recent public survey commissioned by the Jeju April 3 Peace Foundation,… only 7 out of 10 respondents said they knew about the Jeju incident.
"There's a lack of interest. Last year when we had a similar event here in Seoul, it was quite big as the event marked the 70th anniversary. But this year, the budget and interest is a lot lower."
In fact, government efforts to verify the truth behind the incident began only in the late 1990s.
And following President Moon's apology to the victims last year,... Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visited the island on Wednesday to vow again that the government will make the utmost efforts to lay the legal groundwork for state compensation to the fullest extent possible.
"We will keep working, until we piece together the truth, help you clear your names and hear every one of you in Jeju telling us that 'this would be enough.'"
But even with the government's efforts to help raise awareness of the incident,… there is still a long way to go as the families of victims still suffer from gruesome memories and deep trauma.
"Even a few years ago, myself and my son suffered a great deal of pain as we were labeled as the offspring of "commies". We simply couldn't talk about the incident."
"Decades have passed but the pain of the incident still runs deep. But with efforts to raise awareness just like this event in Seoul continues,… the victims could hopefully someday uncover the truth and, achieve justice from the island's dark history. Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News."
Jeju Island is known as one of Korea's most popular holiday destinations.
But an incident there decades ago was one of the most tragic chapters of South Korea's turbulent modern history.
Our Won Jung-hwan has this report on the April 3rd Jeju Incident, and how it's being remembered today.
On April 3rd of 1948, public anger came to the fore, when repressed civilians staged an uprising against police and right-wing groups,... resulting in a period of turmoil on Jeju island.
More than 10-thousand islanders are estimated to have been killed and nearly 3-thousand-6-hundred went missing during clashes between the government and civilians from 1948 to 1954.
To commemorate and raise public awareness of the April Third Jeju Incident that happened 71 years ago,... a 5-day event is being held at Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul.
While those passing through the public space can get a glimpse of the history,... it seems that with the passing of time, the incident is fading from memory.
In a recent public survey commissioned by the Jeju April 3 Peace Foundation,… only 7 out of 10 respondents said they knew about the Jeju incident.
"There's a lack of interest. Last year when we had a similar event here in Seoul, it was quite big as the event marked the 70th anniversary. But this year, the budget and interest is a lot lower."
In fact, government efforts to verify the truth behind the incident began only in the late 1990s.
And following President Moon's apology to the victims last year,... Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon visited the island on Wednesday to vow again that the government will make the utmost efforts to lay the legal groundwork for state compensation to the fullest extent possible.
"We will keep working, until we piece together the truth, help you clear your names and hear every one of you in Jeju telling us that 'this would be enough.'"
But even with the government's efforts to help raise awareness of the incident,… there is still a long way to go as the families of victims still suffer from gruesome memories and deep trauma.
"Even a few years ago, myself and my son suffered a great deal of pain as we were labeled as the offspring of "commies". We simply couldn't talk about the incident."
"Decades have passed but the pain of the incident still runs deep. But with efforts to raise awareness just like this event in Seoul continues,… the victims could hopefully someday uncover the truth and, achieve justice from the island's dark history. Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News."