Jeju, South Korea – The archives documenting the Jeju April 3 Incident, a tragic period in South Korean history, have been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. This significant recognition marks the culmination of a seven-year effort led by the Jeju Provincial Government and the Jeju 4.3 Peace Foundation.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board approved the inscription during its 221st session on April 11th, acknowledging the historical importance and documentary value of the Revealing Truth: Jeju 4.3 Archives.
The Jeju 4.3 Incident, which began on April 3, 1948, involved a civilian uprising on Jeju Island against the government, followed by a brutal suppression campaign by security forces. The event resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and left a lasting scar on the island’s collective memory.
The archives, comprising 14,673 records, offer a comprehensive account of the incident. They include lists of those sentenced by military tribunals, testimonies from victims and their families, records of fact-finding activities conducted by civil organizations, and government investigation reports.
The Jeju Provincial Government and the Jeju 4.3 Peace Foundation submitted the application for inscription in November 2023. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the UNESCO Registration Review Subcommittee and the International Advisory Committee both recommended the archives for inclusion on the Memory of the World Register.
This inscription is expected to contribute significantly to raising international awareness of the Jeju 4.3 Incident and promoting reconciliation and healing within the affected communities. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving historical records to ensure that such tragedies are never forgotten and that lessons are learned for the future.
The inclusion of the Jeju April 3 Incident Archives in the Memory of the World Register underscores the importance of preserving historical records and promoting understanding of difficult past events. It is a testament to the power of truth and remembrance in fostering reconciliation and preventing future atrocities.
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