[This article is written by a JDC Junior Journalist. The JDC Junior Journalist program is an educational project sponsored by Jeju Free International City Development Corporation (JDC). JDC Junior Journalist articles are only briefly edited by mentors before publishing.]

From April 3rd, 1948, to September 21st, 1954, Jeju was considered “a red island” because of the Jeju 4.3 Massacre. This massacre was made up of around 25,000 to 30,000 victims.

The massacre started on the 28th commemoration of the March 1st Movement, which took place in 1947 in Gwandeokjeong. After the event, one boy was hit by a police horse. In response, the people gathered in Gwandeokjeong, protested the police. While the police were repressing the protest, six people were killed, which made Jeju people more upset about the government. Almost 40,000 people went on strike because of this incident. The government caught and tortured many of them, stating they were opponents of democracy.

On April 3rd, 1948, Jeju people attacked 12 police stations opposing the inhumane things the government had done to Jeju people, and to prevent a South Korean single-handed election. However, the government attempted to wipe out Jeju Island. As a result, lots of people were killed and tortured.

Kim Chul, the chairman of the 4.3 Bereaved Family Association, 68, said, “When people escaped to Halla Mountain, the remaining family were killed instead,” showing the indiscriminate deaths of the massacre. “People who stayed in houses suffered a lot because people who escaped to the mountain came back looking for something to eat. If they gave the escaped families something to eat, the police came to their houses and considered them to be sympathizers,” he also said.

Even after the 4.3 Massacre, hardships for Jeju people continued. “Until I turned 40 years old, four policemen were always following me. It’s because I’m from a family of massacre victims, and they didn’t want anything about the massacre to spread,” said Kim.

Kim emphasized the underlying affects that go along with calling the massacre an “incident.” “There are lots of historical struggles in Korea like the 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Struggle, but the 4.3 Massacre can’t be considered a struggle since it happened under the rule of the U.S.A. So, it is usually called the Jeju 4.3 Incident. An incident can’t be compensated by the government,” he said.

To console the victims of Jeju 4.3 Massacre, Kim believes people should be responsible in being completely aware of the historical event and pass it on to the next generation. He also believes the government should compensate the Jeju people while there’s still time. “Our association’s original members were 165, but now there are only 91 members alive,” Kim said.

For more information about the Jeju 4.3 Massacre, visit Jeju 4.3 Peace Park’s website : jeju43.jeju.go.kr/.