Award Ceremony Held in 4‧3 Peace Memorial Hall on June 1 by 4‧3 Peace Foundation

Senior citizens who were praised for overcoming Jeju 4‧3 and contributing to the province’s development were awarded the 4‧3 Parent Prize.

At 11 a.m. on June 1, the Jeju 4‧3 Peace Foundation (president: Yang Jo Hoon) held the 2019 Jeju 4‧3 Parent Award Ceremony in the auditorium of the Jeju 4‧3 Peace Memorial Hall.

A total of 32 people, including 11 spouses of 4‧3 victims, eight recently exonerated prisoners falsely convicted during 4.3, four people left disabled during 4‧3, and nine seniors from families of the deceased, won this year’s Jeju 4.3 Parent Prize.

The event was joined by Song Seung-moon, chairperson of the Association for the Bereaved Families of 4‧3 Victims; Park Chang-wook, a member of the 4‧3 Central Committee; Jeong Min-goo, a member of the Jeju 4‧3 Special Committee; Kang Cheol-nam and Moon Jong-tae, provincial council members; Heo Beop-ryul, chief of the Administration Bureau of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province; Hong Seong-soo, vice-chairperson of the 4‧3 Working Group Committee; Yang Dong-yoon, a representative of the Jeju 4‧3 Provincial Coalition; and Heo Young-sun, director of the Jeju 4‧3 Research Institute.

Among the awardees were Kim Young-ok, who made many people cry during the 71st 4‧3 Commemoration Ceremony, and elderly citizens who were exonerated Jan. 17 of crimes they were falsely accused of committing during 4‧3.

President Yang said, “Those who are awarded today were actually there when the 4‧3 took place and their torments are indescribable.”

He continued: “Although no one can be wholly healed through being awarded a plaque, we thank them because their families and the local community, which owe their very existence to these victims’ sacrifices, have become the foothold for the development of Jeju.”

Chairperson Song Seung-moon of the Association for the Bereaved Families of 4‧3 Victims said, “Having grown up under my mother without my father who died during 4‧3, I would truly like to appreciate the elderly who endured all those years.” He added, “We will strive harder to pass the revision of the 4‧3 Special Act so that it benefits them.”

Plaques and prize money were delivered to the awardees by President Yang and Chairperson Song and the winners took ceremonial pictures with their families and enjoyed the event.

“It was a happy moment for me to share with my family,” Im Chang-ui said. “I thank you for granting me this award.”

Her son, Ko Byeong-hyeon, added, “My mother suffered for so long as a 4‧3 convict and I only wish for her future to be as bright as today.”

Since 2009, the Jeju 4‧3 Peace Foundation has received recommendations from the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the Association for the Bereaved Families of 4‧3 Victims, the Association for the 4‧3 Survivors and others to grant 4‧3 Parent Prize to console those who have experienced and overcome Jeju 4‧3.