Yoon Seok-yeol Visits Jeju Gangjeong Village... "Roh Moo-hyun Opened the Dawn of Self-Defense and Peace"

4.3 Bereaved Families: "We Will Ensure Appropriate Compensation Is Achieved"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party visiting Jeju, stated that if elected president, he will ensure appropriate compensation for the families of the April 3 Incident victims. He also visited the naval base in Gangjeong Village, emphasizing 'self-reliant national defense' and declared his intention to transform it into a world-class tourism hub.

On the 5th, Candidate Yoon visited the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park to pay respects. At the memorial hall where the spirit tablets of the April 3 Incident victims are enshrined, he looked around the tablets and asked Oh Im-jong, chairman of the Jeju victims' association, "Why were there so many casualties in Aewol?"

In response, Chairman Oh said, "Because it is close to Jeju-eup," and added, "In Bukchon, nearly 600 people from one village were collectively massacred and disappeared?an absurd tragedy where everyone from young children to grandmothers vanished."

As he left the memorial hall, he wrote in the guestbook, "I will warmly embrace the souls of the innocent victims together with the people."

After paying respects, Candidate Yoon told reporters, "Our Republic of Korea is a liberal democracy," and said, "Regardless of the reasons, when innocent civilians are unjustly sacrificed, it is our duty and obligation as citizens of a human rights and liberal democracy nation to honor and mourn their souls, and to warmly embrace and comfort them together with all citizens." Regarding compensation for the victims' families, he added, "No matter how much we provide, it will never be enough, but if I take office as the next government, I will do my best to ensure appropriate compensation."

Later, visiting Gangjeong Village, Candidate Yoon stated in a declaration, "In 2007, former President Roh Moo-hyun made a painful decision despite much opposition around him. He said, 'The Jeju naval base is an essential element of the nation. There is nothing wrong with having both armament and peace together.'" He added, "This marked the beginning of self-reliant national defense and peace based on strong power."

He said, "I engrave former President Roh’s anguish and decision in my heart," and added, "We must change this place from a site of political strife to a symbol of unity and peace, together with all our people."

He continued, "I will repay Gangjeong Village and the residents of Jeju by making it a world-class cruise tourism hub beyond being the best in Asia," and said, "The central government will spare no support to make it a core project of the Jeju marine tourism cluster."

He also stated, "While ensuring that the military’s mission is carried out without disruption, we will transform it into the world’s best 'civil-military complex tourism port.'"

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