제주평화연구원

 

on April 3, 2017 at the Jeju April 3 Peace Park

Fellow Koreans, citizens of Jejudo Island, and families of the victims of the Jeju April 3 Incident,

It is the third of April, a day that must not be forgotten. This year, the Jeju April 3 Incident marks its 69th anniversary. With an infinitely somber and solemn heart, I would like to extend my condolences and pay my respects to all the victims of the April 3 Incident as well as to the victims and families of the deceased that have endured great pain and sorrow. I would also like to express my gratitude to Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn who attends the ceremony on behalf of the Korean Government, distinguished guests, and citizens of the Republic of Korea who have all gathered to honor the memory of the deceased. The Jeju April 3 Incident, the most tragic event in Korea’s modern history, has become a symbol of reconciliation and coexistence and the exemplary model that has settled history. I believe it is the result not only of efforts made to uncover the truth behind the April 3 Incident and overcome the bondage of animosity, conflicts, and ideological confrontations between the left and the right but also of holistic, impartial resolution. From now on, we must strive to turn the spirit and value of the April 3 Incident into positive energy of unity and legacy for our future generations. To do so, we have made great efforts based on three principles: carrying out the community-oriented spirit of generosity implementation of national integration and world peace and transmission of lessons to future generations. In that light, the Jeju April 3 Incident Commemoration Week, which started last year, has been expanded to the April 3 Peace and Human Rights Week this year. During the week, the April 3 Peace and Human Rights Education Week is in operation for our next generations textbooks on April 3 Peace and Human Rights for all schools in Jeju and the rest of the nation have been published as well. The families of the victims of the Jeju April 3 Incident will serve as honorary teachers to deliver the value of peace and human rights.

We will complete the projects to build the Children’s Hall and the Peace Forest in the April 3 Peace Park until the end of this year. Starting this year, we will actively work on having the record of the Jeju April 3 Incident registered in the UNESCO World Record Heritage. The registration of the Jeju April 3 Incident in the UNESCO World Record Heritage will provide an invaluable opportunity for the whole humankind to share the value of the Incident and to recognize the Republic of Korea as a mature country in human rights for resolving her sad history.

Fellow Koreans, citizens of Jejudo Island, and families of the victims of the April 3 Incident, By next year, we will be commemorating the 70th anniversary of the April 3 Incident. I believe that, through the process of overcoming the hardships faced by our country, the 70-year history of the April 3 Incident will serve as an invaluable guide for all of us. We will prepare well for the 70th anniversary of the April 3 Incident by disseminating the value of peace and human rights and working hard to unite all citizens of Korea. As part of the preparation for the 70th anniversary of the April 3 Incident, a voluntary consultative body by citizens has already been established, as citizens of Jejudo Island and citizens of Korea sharing the spirit of the April 3 Incident have gathered their strengths and hearts as one. Moreover, political authorities including the Korean central government and the National Assembly have played their roles to resolve the April 3 Incident. Nonetheless, there still remains much to be done in order for the Jeju April 3 Incident to leap forward to the world and to the future, for we seek continuing attention and support for the compensation and indemnification of the victims of the April 3 Incident the permanent establishment of deliberation and resolution for the victims and their families, recovery of reputation of convicted persons in the April 3 Incident, and excavation of remains of the missing persons as a result of the April 3 Incident. Once again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of those who have come to be a part of today’s special occasion of condolence, consolation, and harmony for our better future, and I pray that those who died in the Jeju April 3 Incident will rest in peace. Thank you.

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣ Photo: 박성우, "제69주년 4.3희생자추념식 엄수..."이제 편히 영면하소서"", <헤드라인제주>, http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/?mod=news&act=articleView&idxno=303113, 2017.04.03