Governor Kim Youngrok: "Will Do Our Best Until Full Restoration of Honor for Jeju 4.3 Victims"

Pledge to Join Efforts for Special Act Amendment
for Truth-Finding and Restoration of Honor

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, stated on the 3rd, "On the 77th anniversary of the Jeju 4.3 Incident, I deeply mourn the souls who fell victim to state violence and pledge to do my utmost until the end for truth-finding and the restoration of victims' honor, including the amendment of the related special law."

In his memorial address titled "Jeju 4.3, 77th Anniversary: We Will Remember the Pain," Governor Kim said, "Jeju 4.3 is the deepest wound in the modern history of the Republic of Korea. The peaceful island of Jeju had to endure the full brunt of state violence amid the turmoil of the Cold War and national division," adding, "Together with all the people of Jeollanam-do, I deeply mourn the spirits of the more than 30,000 victims."

He continued, "It was only during the era of democratic government that the truth of Jeju 4.3 could finally come to light," emphasizing, "The enactment of the 'Jeju 4.3 Special Act' in 2000, the official apology by President Roh Moo-hyun in 2003, and the subsequent efforts for truth-finding and honor restoration were invaluable processes for our society to heal the wounds of the past."

He also expressed that Jeollanam-do, as a region that shares a similar pain through the Yeosu-Suncheon 10.19 Incident, deeply empathizes with Jeju's sorrow, will expand mutual exchanges to share the historical pain of both regions, and will actively participate in the amendment of the Jeju 4.3 Special Act.

The Yeosu-Suncheon Incident occurred in the early days of the establishment of the government when some soldiers of the 14th Regiment of the National Army stationed in Yeosu refused the government's order to suppress the Jeju 4.3 Incident. During the ensuing chaos and armed conflict, many civilians were killed. Both incidents hold significant meaning as major events in modern history.