Jeju 4·3 Trauma Center, 6,336 Users in 5 Months Since Opening

Taking Initiative in Healing Residents of Gangjeong Village

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] The Jeju 4·3 Trauma Center is achieving significant results through various healing programs and healing visits to Gangjeong Village.

In 2018, President Moon Jae-in promised the establishment of a national trauma center at the 70th anniversary memorial ceremony of the Jeju 4.3 Incident, attending as the first sitting president in 12 years. At this year's 72nd anniversary memorial ceremony, President Moon also appealed to the National Assembly to pass the amendment to the 4.3 Special Act and pledged full support for its promotion to a national trauma center.

Regarding the 4·3 Trauma Center, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong stated in his campaign promise, "We will establish a trauma center to provide individual counseling, physical therapy, and family counseling."

According to Jeju Province on the 16th, the 4·3 Trauma Center opened on May 6 and, within five months, recorded 384 registered users and 6,336 visitors using the facilities.

So far, the 4·3 Trauma Center has operated structured healing program systems on weekly and monthly bases, including art therapy, specialized psychological programs, and the 4·3 Story Forum program on different days of the week, while routinely providing psychological counseling, physical therapy, and manual therapy.

Survivor victim A (female, 80, Ido 1-dong), who participated in the healing programs, expressed gratitude for the center’s role, saying, "It is a place that heals broken bodies and bruised hearts. I am truly thankful and happy that there is a place to heal the 70 years of sorrow and painful memories."

Also, bereaved family member B (female, 75, Samyang 2-dong) said, "Meeting the 4·3 Trauma Center brings to mind the image of my father, whom I never met," and added, "I am really grateful and happy that it gives us good time and space and a way to convey our feelings."

In particular, the 4·3 Trauma Center has begun extending its healing efforts beyond victims and bereaved families related to the 4.3 Incident to include healing for residents of Gangjeong Village.

Through building trust with self-governing organizations such as the village autonomy committee, the 4·3 Trauma Center conducted positive psychology healing, 4·3 historic site tours, and forest healing programs for about 30 members of the Gangjeong Village Women’s Association in July, receiving positive responses from residents. In October, a music healing program is also planned for elderly members of Gangjeong Village.

Going forward, the 4·3 Trauma Center will do its best to foster a sense of community solidarity among victims, activate counseling and healing programs, establish networks of psychological counselors, healing program experts, and 4·3 organizations, and build networks with local communities as well as promote domestic and international exchanges and cooperation.

Along with this, the center plans to expand case management for visiting healing services for victims and bereaved families unable to visit, Gangjeong residents, and distant visitors.

Song Jong-sik, Director of the Special Self-Governing Administration Bureau, stated, "We will do our utmost to ensure that the 4·3 Trauma Center becomes a place of comfort and healing for surviving victims and elderly bereaved families."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.