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 Discussion of Excavation and Repatriation of Independence Activists' Remains Before Korea-China Summit"
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 in advance as an agenda item before the upcoming Korea-China summit.
On December 18, during a work briefing held at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oeul said, "We have caused great anger to the bereaved families of the Jeju 4·3 victims, the residents of Jeju, and the entire nation. I am deeply sorry. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will take responsibility and handle the matter according to due process." President Lee responded with the aforementioned remarks.
Prior to this, President Lee had meticulously inquired about the basis for awarding Colonel Park. When Minister Kwon explained that there was no official record of achievements or supporting evidence, and that the justification for the award was written only in abstract terms such as national security, President Lee remarked, "It's not logically impossible," and added, "In any case, I hope the matter is handled properly."
Earlier, on December 14, President Lee had instructed 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 Mugunghun Medal.
According to the Jeju 4·3 Incident Investigation Report, Colonel Park was appointed as the commander of the 9th Regiment of the Joseon Defense Forces in May 1948. During a period of about 40 days, he arrested over 5,000 Jeju residents, during which many were executed by firing squad or went missing. For this reason, 4·3 organizations have criticized Colonel Park as being responsible for the massacre of innocent 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," expressing 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 in China, including Ahn Junggeun, be discussed in advance as an agenda item before the Korea-China summit. In response, Minister Kwon said regarding the project to repatriate Ahn Junggeun's remains, "We will visit the site to gather information so that, with China's cooperation, we can at least track the location as much as possible." Minister Kwon also mentioned that the area believed to contain Ahn Junggeun's remains is to the right of Lushun Prison, and added, "In addition to Ahn Junggeun, we will 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, cooperation with China is essential," and asked that discussions be initiated in advance, as there is a possibility of meeting with China again soon. He also requested the Presidential Office to pay close attention to the matter. In addition, when Minister Kwon stated his intention to revise the 'Act on the Return of Pro-Japanese Property' to better suit current realities by reclaiming assets accumulated through pro-Japanese activities, President Lee said, "It would be good to proceed with a sense of urgency."
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