제주평화연구원

Congratulatory Message on the 13th Anniversary of the Island of World Peace

  [caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of the Jeju Special Self-governing Province
Source: http://www.jeju.go.kr/dojisa/dolisa/street.htm[/caption] I celebrate the 13th anniversary of the designation of Jeju Island as the Island of World Peace on behalf of the Jeju residents.   Jeju Island, the Island of World Peace, has written a new chapter in the history of East Asian peace with its diverse exertions to practice peace in the region. It’s my belief that the island has overcome the conflicts and confrontations of the past and is becoming a messenger of peace to East Asia and the world. The leaders of our neighboring powers, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan, have engaged in a wide range of diplomacy for peace on this island. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the residents of this island to build a future-oriented peace culture of reconciliation and coexistence.   The inter-Korean detente occasioned by the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang raises the expectations for a new role of the Island of World Peace.   In the high-level talks held on Jan. 9, North Korea agreed to join the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and make joint efforts with the South to invigorate inter-Korean visits, exchanges and cooperation. I hope this thaw in the icy inter-Korean ties could provide another chance for Jeju Island to advance its pursuit to ease tension on the Korean peninsula and build lasting peace in Northeast Asia. Jeju Island has long built trust with the North by initiating the first-ever exchange between local governments of the two Koreas and tangerine donation to the North for the past 12 years. In the first year in office as governor of the Jeju Special Self-governing Province, I proposed the “Five plus One” project to the North, as following ① tangerine donation to the North ② peace cruise plying Jeju Island-North Korea ③ cross-visits to the South and North ④ cooperation on the ecologic preservation of Mt. Paektu and Halla ⑤ invitation of North Korean delegation to the Jeju Forum ⑥ cooperation on energy project for peace Peace-loving and unification-seeking residents of Jeju Island have been ready to engage in exchanges with the North at any time. I hope that the “Five plus One” projects in the name of “Vitamin C diplomacy” could come true so that it may open a new path for inter-Korean relations and build peace on the Korean peninsula, eventually.   This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the April 3 Incident as Visit Jeju Year   With the enactment of the Special Law on the April 3 Incident, the nation could correct history and heal the scars of the bereaved. However, there still remain tasks such as additional excavation of the remains, permanent hearing and deliberation on the reports of the bereaved, state reparation and compensation for the victims, and establishment of the April 3 Peace Park on four phases. We should successfully host the 70th memorial service with the entire nation to help the bereaved find closure and the culture of peace for reconciliation and coexistence animate our society. Furthermore, we should make this memorial service an opportunity to allow the spirit of the April 3 Incident for peace and human rights be known across the nation and the world. I promise to do my best to accomplish all the remaining tasks with the assistance of the government and nationwide support.   I will further promote peace by strengthening the municipal capacity to settle conflicts for social cohesion   The expectation for settlement of the 10-year long conflict over the naval base in Gangjeong has been heightened with the government’s withdrawal of its litigation to seek indemnity against Gangjeong residents (who protested and sought to repel the establishment of the naval base at the village). Restoration of Gangjeong community has now started. I would make devoted efforts to reinstate the civil rights of penalized Gangjeong residents and normalize the community restoration project. I would also peacefully settle the dispute over the second airport in Jeju Island by proactively communicating with the residents and closely cooperating with the government. At the same time, I pledge to engage in cooperative governance with the residents’ community to resolve the “conflicts for daily livelihood” and thus achieve everyday peace with earnest efforts to communicate with the residents at every municipal level.   I promise to transform Jeju Island into a peace community by cultivating peace culture   Jeju Island has built the infrastructure for peace with its peace-themed projects over the last 10 years. On top of peace without war, the island will continue to pursue a “Jeju-type” peace project to practice peace for healing, tolerance, and peaceful energy use. To realize the future vision of Jeju Island for cleanness and coexistence, we have to a peace community based on the peace culture of reconciliation, tolerance, mutual respect, and coexistence. In the New Year message to the residents, I promised to a community of reconciliation and coexistence, a democratic community led by residents, and a warm-hearted community with a virtuous circle of growth and distribution. The real protagonist of the peace practice to build a peace community is none other than the residents of this island. I ask you to pay more attentions to, cooperate with and join our journey to a peace community on this island and spread the peace culture of Jeju Island to Northeast Asia and the world.   Thank you   January 27, 2018 Won Hee-ryong, Governor of the Jeju Special Self-governing Province