Jeju's April 3 incident
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By Lee Sun-ho
A full-scale Communist revolt on Jeju Island took place on April 3, 1948. Between 30,000 and 80,000 people (10 to 25 percent of the island’s population) plus some U.S. military personnel were killed during fighting between various factions on the island or were executed.
The rebellion resulted not only in many deaths but also casualties and the destruction of many villages on the island, and inspired more rebellions across the Korean mainland. Up to 4,000 residents of Jeju escaped to Japan from the fighting.
Upset by the partition of the peninsula under the supervision of the U.N. Commission, the Communist Workers’ Party of South Korea planned rallies on March 1, to denounce and block the upcoming general elections for the constitutional national assembly scheduled for May 10, 1948.
Some 60,000 (or 20 percent of Jeju’s population) were party members, and another 80,000 fellow travelers. The arrest of 2,500 party leaders, and the killing of at least three of them, broke up the planned demonstration.
The rebellion, which included the mutiny of several hundred members of the Korean 11th Constabulary Regiment, lasted until 1949, although small isolated incidents of fighting continued until Sept, 21, 1954 and even by April 2, 1957. The Northwest Youth Association partisans (a group of anti-Communist North Korean refugees as part of a paramilitary force) showed a passionate rightwing posture. The Communist guerillas created base camps in the mountains and the government forces held the coastal lowlands.
On this day, outraged and armed pro-Communist people of Jeju attacked 12 police stations. In the fighting, 100 policemen and civilians were killed.
Rebels also attacked polling centers for the upcoming election and attacked political opponents and their families. Then they issued an appeal urging the local population to rise against the American military government.
A cycle of terror attacks and counter-terrorism were then conducted across the entire island. On October 17, 1948, President Syngman Rhee proclaimed martial law to quell the rebellion.
The April 3rd Peace Park was constructed from 2001 through 2008 to remember the misfortune and President Roh Moo-hyun presented an official apology speech on October 31, 2003 for those killed by the government’s action during that period.
However, it reveals how the real story has been distorted by Communists and leftwing radicals. By hiding the truth of the North Korean armed rebellion but choosing to selectively present video evidence of the massacre of civilians by the Korean police and army forces plus U.S. military personnel.
Many portraits displaying North Korean Communist leaders and guerillas who led the rebellion should be removed. Only those sacrificed by the armed fighting between both sides should remain there.
Considering the above-mentioned causes and effects of the 66-year-old tragic ideological struggles at the dawn of the new Republic of Korea and in the six-and-a-half-year process of war and conflict in the island, it is quite absurd and contradictory for President Park Geun-hye, unless she exercises her veto power, on a proposal to designate April 3 as another official memorial day.
This is being advocated by passionate pro-North, anti-American leftwing radicals prevailing in this misguided Korean society, thus causing a sense of lingering social unrest.
Ordinary people in Korea must know that the “Island of World Peace” has a horrible and unfortunate past and truly comprehend its causes and effects without intentional misguidance by leftwing, pro-North Korea and anti-American radicals.
The incident should only be remembered as a symbol of the preciousness of peace, unity and human rights for all fellow Koreans.
The writer is an outside director of Samyang Tongsang Co., Ltd. in Seoul. He can be reached at kexim2@unitel.co.kr.