Jeju Island to Hold 'Night for Contributions of Zainichi Jeju People' Event in Tokyo on the 24th

First Jeju Residents in Japan Hometown Love Appreciation Event Held Successfully... Pledging New Unity

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] A touching event was held for the first time in Tokyo, Japan, commemorating the patriotism and hometown love spirit of the first-generation Zainichi Jeju residents who have devotedly contributed to the modernization and development of their hometown Jeju over the past 100 years.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 25th that on the 24th, it held the ‘Night of Zainichi Jeju Contributors’ event at the Palace Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, attended by about 60 people including Zainichi Jeju contributors, second- and third-generation descendants, and executives of the Zainichi Kanto Jeju Residents Association (President Yang Il-hoon).

The event was organized to express gratitude for the heartfelt love for their hometown Jeju, which has continued from the first generation of Zainichi Jeju residents to the present, and to ensure that this spirit is not forgotten but passed down.

In particular, considering the reality that the number of surviving contributors is decreasing due to the long passage of time since the first-generation Zainichi Jeju residents migrated to Japan around the 1930s, the event was arranged as a place of gratitude and appreciation by inviting contributors (descendants) who were contacted through a late investigation of contributors to the merit monument, receiving enthusiastic responses from attendees.

The event was held in Tokyo, Japan, taking into account the advanced age of the Zainichi Jeju contributors and other attendees.

Attendees included the eldest son Kim Hwa-nam of the late Kim Pyeong-jin (Hoecheon-dong, Jeju City), a major contributor (currently chairman of Jeju Women’s Academy), Baek Dong-hong, eldest son of the late Baek Yi-nam (Kimnyeong-ri, Gujwa-eup) contributor (currently chairman of Namnyeong Academy), descendants of contributor Jwa Ok-hwa and the late Oh Chan-ik (Pyoseon-ri, Pyoseon-myeon) contributor, as well as executives of the Zainichi Kanto Residents Association, and contributors and descendants from the Jaedong Hamdeok Friendship Association, Gonae Friendship Association, and Wimi Friendship Association who have been working hard for Jeju’s development.

In particular, programs such as video screenings expressing gratitude from hometown descendants for the contributions of Zainichi Jeju residents and conversations with contributors were conducted, with attendees expressing responses such as “It is moving,” “My heart is touched,” and “I want to visit my hometown again, which I could not visit due to COVID-19,” conveying their gratitude for creating a place that enhanced pride and self-esteem as Jeju people.

Governor Oh Young-hoon, representing the residents, greeted and shook hands with each contributor elder, descendant, and association official, expressing respect and gratitude.

Governor Oh said, “Because of all of you here, Jeju exists as it is today, and there is a better future for Jeju ahead,” adding, “The 8th Jeju Provincial Government will record and inherit the proud history of Zainichi Jeju residents and strive to continue the spirit of united Jeju people through expanded exchanges between Zainichi Jeju residents and the provincial community.”

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won baekok@asiae.co.kr

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