Moon attends Jeju Massacre anniversary
Choo Mi-ae, chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, speaks at the party's Supreme Council, Monday. / Yonhap
By Choi Ha-young
President Moon Jae-in will attend an annual ceremony, Tuesday, for massacres committed by state forces on Jeju Island between 1948 and 1954 amid the escalating ideological conflict following the nation's liberation from the 1910-1945 Japanese colonial rule.
It will be the first time for a President to attend the ceremony in 10 years. Two former conservative presidents ― Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye ― refused to take part in the annual event.
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) commemorated the 1948-54 Jeju Massacre, Monday.
DPK Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae said Moon will visit Jeju Island Tuesday to console the surviving victims.
“Seventy years ago, bloody tears of Jeju residents were spilled on the island. However, none of those on the mainland knew of the slaughters until 1998 when a public hearing was held in Seoul,” Choo, wearing a camellia badge that symbolizes the incident, said at a party meeting.
The chairwoman put emphasis on truth and justice, and avoiding a repeat of such atrocities.
“Amid ignorance about the Jeju Massacre, similar government-led killings took place in Gwangju in 1980. If society fails to remember the truth, such tragic history will be repeated,” she said.
“Therefore, completing the fact-finding of the Jeju Massacre would show the nation's sincerity in human rights and justice. Please join hands in the move for fact-finding.”
The massacre, also known as the April 3 Incident or the April 3 Uprising and Massacre, refers to killings committed by forces under the U.S. military government of Korea and later South Korean President Syngman Rhee. About 25,000 to 30,000 islanders were killed over a boycott of the U.S.-backed general election that solidified the division of Korea.
The DKP has played a leading role in uncovering the truth about the killings.
In December 1999, Rep. Choo submitted the Special Act for the April 3 incident along with 102 lawmakers, after she unveiled trial documents ― the first disclosed evidence of extrajudicial process used against the victims. In 2000, according to the act, the Kim Dae-jung administration set up a fact-finding committee about the incident.
On April 3, 2007, then-President Roh Moo-hyun officially apologized to islanders during his participation in the commemorative event for the first time as a state leader.
President Moon has reiterated he will take part in the annual event. During last year's intraparty race to nominate a presidential candidate, Moon vowed to participate in the commemorative event if he is elected president. On Tuesday, Moon is expected to read a message of peace and coexistence at the event, which will be hosted by K-pop diva Lee Hyori.
Other than the April 3 incident, the liberal Moon administration aims to complete its fact-finding on state violence and distribute financial compensation to victims.