President Lee Receives Briefings from the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
President Lee Orders Review of Cancellation of National Meritorious Person Registration on December 14
"Instructs Advance Discus
President Lee Jaemyung commented on the controversy surrounding the registration of the late Colonel Park Jingyeong, who led the harsh suppression during the Jeju 4·3 Incident, as a national meritorious person, stating, "It seems that the families of the 4·3 victims are extremely outraged. Let's find a solution." As the controversy escalated, the government is now reviewing procedures to cancel Colonel Park's registration as a national meritorious person. In addition, regarding the excavation and repatriation of the remains of independence activists believed to be in China, such as Ahn Junggeun, President Lee instructed that the issue be discussed as an agenda item ahead of the upcoming Korea-China summit.
On December 18, at a work briefing held at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul said, "We deeply regret causing great anger to the bereaved families of the Jeju 4·3 victims, the residents of Jeju, and the entire nation. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will take responsibility and handle the matter according to procedure." President Lee responded with the above remarks.
Prior to this, President Lee closely inquired about the grounds for Colonel Park's commendation. When Minister Kwon explained that there were no concrete records or grounds, and that the basis for the commendation was written only in abstract terms such as national security, President Lee remarked, "Logically, it is not impossible," and added, "In any case, I hope it will be handled properly."
Previously, on December 14, President Lee ordered a review of the cancellation of the registration of Colonel Park's family as national meritorious persons, which had been approved by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The Seoul Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs had approved the family's application for registration as national meritorious persons in October, based on Colonel Park's Eulji Order of Military Merit.
According to the Jeju 4·3 Incident Investigation Report, Colonel Park was appointed as the commander of the 9th Regiment of the Joseon Garrison in May 1948. During his 40-day tenure, over 5,000 Jeju residents were arrested, and many were executed or went missing in the process. As a result, 4·3 organizations have criticized Colonel Park as being responsible for the massacre of civilians.
As the controversy intensified, Minister Kwon Oeul met with the 4·3 Victims' Families Association and issued an apology. On his Facebook page, Minister Kwon stated, "The victims of the Jeju 4·3 Incident are victims of state violence, and the soldiers and police mobilized for the suppression at the time were themselves victims of a chaotic era." He also expressed his intention to take follow-up measures regarding the designation of meritorious persons.
Furthermore, President Lee instructed that the issue of excavating and repatriating the remains of independence activists believed to be in China, such as Ahn Junggeun, be discussed in advance as an agenda item before the Korea-China summit. In response, Minister Kwon said that regarding the project to repatriate Ahn Junggeun's remains, "We will travel locally to China to obtain their cooperation and at least try to track down the location." He added that the area believed to contain Ahn Junggeun's remains is to the right of Lushun Prison, and stated, "In addition to Ahn Junggeun, we will also excavate and repatriate the remains of about three other independence activists."
President Lee further emphasized, "When it comes to the excavation and repatriation of remains, coordination with China is crucial," and requested that discussions be initiated in advance, as there may be another meeting with Chinese officials soon. He also instructed the Presidential Secretariat to monitor the issue. In addition, when Minister Kwon stated that the 'Act on the Attribution of Pro-Japanese Property,' which involves the recovery of property accumulated through pro-Japanese activities, would be revised to better fit current realities, President Lee said, "It would be good to proceed with a sense of urgency."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
