President Lee Offers Deep Condolences to Victims of Jeju April 3 Incident, Vows to Abolish Statute of Limitations on State Violence

According to The Financial News, President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea marked the 78th anniversary of the Jeju April 3 Incident on the 3rd, stressing, "I will make sure that never again will people be sacrificed or made to suffer in the name of the state."
Posting on Facebook the same day, President Lee wrote, "I offer my deepest condolences and sympathy to the surviving victims and bereaved families of the Jeju April 3 Incident. My heart always aches when I think of the Jeju residents who continue to endure the pain symbolized by the camellia blossoms."
President Lee went on, "The 80 years since liberation have been a time of remarkable growth and prosperity, but behind that history lies a dark period stained by grave acts of state violence." He added, "As president, I constantly reflect on how our people can overcome the pain and suffering they have endured and move toward a better future."
He continued, "The Jeju April 3 Incident offers a ray of hope in that reflection. Jeju residents lost their families and their homes to horrific state violence and were forced into silence for many years, yet they did not give up. They worked to rebuild their communities and joined forces to uncover the truth and restore the victims' honor."
In particular, President Lee reiterated, "By abolishing the statute of limitations for state violence, we will ensure that those responsible for such acts can never evade accountability as long as they live."
Earlier, due to a summit schedule with French President Emmanuel Macron, President Lee visited Jeju ahead of the anniversary, from March 29 to 30, where he paid his respects at the Jeju 4·3 Peace Park and had lunch with families of the victims. At that time as well, he emphasized his intention to abolish both the criminal statute of limitations and the civil statute of repose for crimes of state violence.

cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter