Jeju 4·3 Foundation apologizes for 'insufficient' government probe

The Jeju 4·3 Peace Foundation has issued a formal apology, acknowledging the public's dissatisfaction with the supplementary investigation into the 1948 Jeju Uprising. Chairman Lim Moon-chul expressed deep regret to the victims' families and the people of Jeju for the "insufficient response and procedural issues" that marred the process of compiling the additional fact-finding report. This apology comes after the committee overseeing the investigation recommended it, following criticism that the probe was inadequate. The supplementary investigation aimed to uncover truths omitted from the initial 2003 government report. However, the process has been fraught with difficulties. The foundation was expected to undergo preliminary review by a subcommittee of the 4·3 Committee, but it failed to properly report even the table of contents for the report until submitting a draft in June of the previous year. This led to protests from subcommittee members who deemed the procedures unlawful and the investigation flawed, preventing the government from releasing its report by the end of the year as promised. The foundation attributes these issues to a lack of awareness regarding procedures and regulations. A revised plan aims for a final report by May of the following year, a process that, if successful, will have taken over five years and incurred significant government expenditure. From Jeju's perspective, this extended and troubled investigation highlights the deep-seated historical wounds and the ongoing struggle for full truth and reconciliation. The meticulous, albeit slow, process reflects the profound significance of the 4·3 Uprising to the island's identity and its people's enduring quest for justice.

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We deeply apologize to the bereaved families and the people of Jeju who have lived with the pain of 4·3. We have caused much disappointment and concern due to insufficient response and procedural issues that arose during the process of writing the additional fact-finding report.