Lawsuit for Compensation over 'Moon's April 3 Commemoration Speech' Ends in Defeat for Rhee Syngman Foundation and Police Bereaved Families

The Memorial Association of President Syngman Rhee and the bereaved family of a police officer who died at the Hamdeok Police Station in Jeju during the 'Jeju 4·3 Incident' filed a civil lawsuit against former President Moon Jae-in, claiming that their honor was damaged by the 4·3 presidential commemorative speeches in 2020 and 2021, but they lost in the first trial.

On the afternoon of April 3rd, the 75th anniversary of the April 3rd Incident Victims Memorial Day, former President Moon Jae-in visited the 4·3 Peace Park in Bonggae-dong, Jeju City, to honor the spirits of the victims.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 29th, the Civil Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-woo) ruled against the plaintiffs in the first trial of the lawsuit filed by the Syngman Rhee Memorial Association and the bereaved family member Kang Mo, seeking 70 million won in damages from former President Moon.

On this day, the court stated, "All claims of the plaintiffs are dismissed." The plaintiffs were also ordered to bear all litigation costs. However, the court did not disclose the reasons for dismissing the plaintiffs' claims in the courtroom. The reasons for dismissal can be confirmed later through the written judgment.

Previously, former President Moon stated in the 4·3 Victims Memorial Ceremony speeches in 2020 and 2021 that "4·3 was the sacrifice of civilians by state authority," and "The state power mercilessly oppressed and drove the people of Jeju to death by labeling them as 'communists,' 'rioters,' and 'rebels.'" He also said, "The 'victims' were turned into 'perpetrators,' and the military dictatorship used oppression and the guilt-by-association system to silence the victims."

The Syngman Rhee Memorial Association and the police bereaved families pointed out that "the armed rebellion was glorified, and the legitimacy and authenticity of the founding of the Republic of Korea were denied. The military and police who performed their lawful duties were insulted and their honor was damaged." They filed the lawsuit in 2021, demanding compensation and a public statement to restore their honor.

The Jeju 4·3 Incident refers to the armed conflict and suppression between the armed forces of the South Korean Labor Party and government troops from the shooting incident during the March 1st Independence Movement Day ceremony in 1947 until the lifting of the Hallasan curfew on September 21, 1954. During this 7 years and 7 months period, many civilians were sacrificed in the process of suppression by the government forces. It is tentatively reported that between 14,000 and 30,000 people were killed or went missing.

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