'Attending the April 3rd Uprising Memorial Ceremony' Kim Dong-yeon: "10,000 Remains Unfound... A History That Is Not Over"

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 03 Apr.2024 17:52(KST)

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon emphasized on the 3rd, marking the 76th anniversary of the "4·3 Jeju Uprising," that "there are still about 10,000 people whose remains and records have not been found," and stated, "The 4·3 Uprising is an unfinished history."

On the same day, Governor Kim posted on his social media (SNS), saying, "76th anniversary of the Jeju 4·3 Uprising," and added, "Today, rain falls over Jeju as if comforting the pain of the victims and bereaved families of the 4·3 Uprising."

He continued, "I met Grandma Hyun Kyung-ah, who turned 104 this year," and added, "It was during a lunch with the victims' families after the 4·3 victims memorial ceremony."

Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province posted a message and photo on his social media on the 3rd.

He then shared a poignant story, saying, "Seventy-six years ago, a 25-year-old young wife lost her husband overnight without knowing the reason. At that time, she had two young daughters and a child in her womb," and added, "Her husband, who was sacrificed at the age of 29, was only acquitted in 2021, 73 years later."

He especially noted, "Such heartrending stories are not at all unusual in Jeju," and praised, "These are stories commonly heard from any Jeju resident. Despite those harsh years, the people of Jeju embraced each other's pain and achieved reconciliation."

He also stated, "It is estimated that the number of 4·3 victims reached 30,000, but only about 15,000 have been officially recognized as victims and enshrined with memorial tablets," and asserted, "There are still about 10,000 people who were killed during the 4·3 Uprising whose remains and records have not been found. The 4·3 Uprising is an unfinished history."

Furthermore, he said, "We planted ginkgo trees, the symbolic tree of Gyeonggi Province, at the 4·3 Peace Park," and expressed hope that "with the strong vitality of the ginkgo tree, the spirit of peace left by the 4·3 Uprising will continue for a long time. I pray for the rest of all the spirits of the 4·3 Uprising. I will remember Jeju’s spring."