The Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation and the State Rehabilitation Management Commission, a Mongolian state agency that has exonerated 27,000 out of 31,000 victims of events which occurred during the country’s transition period, signed a memorandum of understanding on April 3. The Mongolian delegation, led by Odontuya Saldan, chairwoman of Mongolia’s State Rehabilitation Management Commission and vice-chairwoman of the Mongolian Parliament, shared the experiences of the two regions that created best practices for resolving past history issues and discussed measures for academic exchange and solidarity.

During Mongolia’s transition period from communism to its democratization between 1921 and 1990, the Great Purge was also committed, in which civilians were killed on a large scale due to state violence. In December 1990, the State Rehabilitation Management Commission was established in accordance with the relevant Presidential Decree for the investigation of the truth, compensation for damage, and education on the lessons learned.

The commission is still active and has restored honor to 27,000 out of 31,000 deceased victims. Compensation of 0.5-1.0 million Tugriks (about 200,000 to 400,000 won) per person has been paid to some 18,000 people, including victims and their bereaved families. The commission also carries out memorial projects, such as investigating the truth, building a database, installing monuments, holding exhibitions of relics, publishing books and compilations, and producing documentary films.

According to Chairwoman Saldan, not only the commission but also the Mongolian government place great significance on the new relationship with the Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation because this is the first time for the commission to attempt overseas benchmarking and cooperation since its establishment. “We will gratefully learn from the Jeju case and are looking forward to building strong cooperation,” she said.

After attending the memorial ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of Jeju 4·3, the Mongolian delegation held the opening ceremony of the Special Exhibition of the State Rehabilitation Management Commission at the gatepost monument of the Jeju 4·3 Peace Park.