Beyond Hallyu (Korean Wave): Commemorating the 76th Anniversary of the Jeju April 3rd Incident and Exploring Its Collective Trauma

Date and Time: Saturday, April 27, 5:00 PM

Location: Boston Korean Church, 32 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445

Admission: Free (open to everyone)

Free parking is available in the basement of the Brookline Town Hall next to the church. Town Hall address: 333 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445

Commemorative Ceremony (5 pm ~ 6 pm)

Complimentary Reception Korean food Buffet Dinner (Free Admission and RSVPs highly recommended starting from 6 pm)

Family-Friendly Art & Crafts Experience (Kid-friendly)

Camellia ink drawings by students at the Korean School of New England (Camellia is the symbolic flower of the Jeju April 3rd  incident, symbolizing unjust deaths)

RSVP

The Hallyu, the Korean Wave—a global phenomenon showcasing the worldwide appreciation for Korean culture, spans movies, K-pop, culinary arts, and traditional crafts. The Hallyu also provides a context for exploring the deeper layers of Korean history, including the Jeju April 3rd Incident.

What is the Jeju April 3rd incident, and why must we know?

The Jeju April 3rd Incident (1947-1954) happened during a complex and challenging period in Korean history, marked by social unrest and conflict that erupted in the aftermath of World War II and Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial occupation. It resulted in the deaths of more than 30,000 innocent people and left a lasting scar on Korean society. The Jeju April 3rd Incident is considered a prime example of collective trauma (a deep psychological wound shared by a group of people who have experienced a horrific event) in South Korea. The Jeju April 3rd Incident was the starting point of the Cold War in Northeast Asia and has sparked a significant surge in interest and research among scholars worldwide. The prevailing discourse is that if the Jeju April 3rd Incident had not occurred, the Korean War, in which about 36,000 American soldiers were killed, would not have happened. 

Come hear the stories of the April 3rd Incident victims' families and descendants living in our community. Join us in commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Jeju April 3rd Incident. This solemn and educational event provides an opportunity to learn about the event's historical significance, honor those affected, and reflect on the importance of empathy, remembrance, and healing for our collective trauma. The event is family-friendly and provides engaging arts and crafts activities to help participants connect with the incident's history and emotional impact. 

We also invite high school students to participate in an essay contest (entries due by May 30th) reflecting on their experiences at the event. All participants will receive a souvenir, and outstanding essays will be awarded scholarships.

Jeju April 3 Incident High School Essay Contest Announcement 2024 Memory and Justice: 

Express your reflections: Share your thoughts about the event in our essay contest! Categories: We welcome submissions. High school students Students who wish to participate in the event will receive a link to upload their work via email later.

Deadline: May 30th

• All participants get a special memento.Top three essays win scholarships. 

• Publishing Opportunity: The Walden Korea International Journal provides a platform to share your work with a global audience and contribute to the global discourse on the Korean Wave and Korean history.

Essay Guidelines:

Your essay should address the following areas:

• Unique Reflection (Essential):

Join us at the Boston Korean Church in Brookline (32 Harvard Ave) on April 27th, at 5 p.m. This free event includes dinner and is family-friendly. It's more than a commemoration; it's a chance to blend collective memories with your insights on the Jeju April 3rd Incident.

• Collective Trauma Impact:

Investigate the effects of collective trauma, using academic research to support your findings.

• Future Implications:

Consider how the Jeju April 3rd Incident influences today’s society, attitudes, and reconciliation efforts.

• Formatting

• Word Count: Your essay should be a minimum of 1,000 words and not exceed 2,000 words, written in English.

• Font: Use 12-point Times New Roman font.

• Spacing: Text should be double-spaced.

For any questions, please contact: info@waldenkorea.org

Apply here

Revisiting Shadows of the Past: The Call for U.S. Acknowledgment and Reconciliation in South Korea's Jeju April 3rd Massacre -Best articles about the Jeju 4.3 Incident.

An op-ed written by Sung Yoon Lee, a professor at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and published in The Hill two years ago, titled 'Biden should visit South Korea's Jeju April 3rd Peace Park,' is an impactful piece that underscores the starting point for the United States in addressing the grievances of the victims of the Jeju April 3rd incident.

Nearly 70 years ago, Jeju Island witnessed the systematic and brutal murder of thousands of civilians by South Korean authorities, an event that has been mired in complexity and controversy due to the involvement of the U.S. military. The op-ed emphasizes the importance of remembrance and reconciliation, citing then South Korean President-elect Yoon Seok-yul's April 2020 visit to the April 3rd Victims Memorial in Jeju as a gesture toward healing.

Both South Korea and the United States have historically minimized or denied their involvement in the massacre, hindering the journey towards complete truth and reconciliation. The massacre, which resulted in the death of more than 30,000 people, including women and children, and led to the destruction of entire villages, represents a critical but neglected chapter in South Korea's post-1945 history that deserves attention and acknowledgment.

Tomestones of victims at Jeju 43 Peace Park ©Walden Korea

The article suggests that President Biden, during his visit to South Korea on May 20, 2020, should pay his respects at the Jeju 4-3 Peace Park. Such a visit from Biden could serve as a gesture towards healing and an acknowledgment of the U.S.'s role in the tragic events, potentially transforming the U.S.-South Korea relationship in a positive manner. Additionally, it proposes that the U.S. Congress could aid in the reconciliation process by allocating funds for the education of the families of the Jeju Massacre victims, drawing upon historical instances where the U.S. has sought to amend past wrongs.

At its essence, this article advocates for a reevaluation and recognition of the significance of the Jeju Massacre in both South Korean and American histories, urging for actions that foster healing, truth, and reconciliation to strengthen bilateral ties.

To read the full text of this article, please visit the provided site.

Best articles about the Jeju 4.3 Incident.

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3258230-biden-should-visit-south-koreas-jeju-april-3rd-peace-park/

75Th Commemorating the Victims of the Jeju April 3 Incident

Date and Time:

Thursday, April 6, 6 pm

followed by a reception at 7 pm.

Location

7th floor, Cabot Intercultural Center, Tufts Fletcher School

160 Packard Ave., Medford, MA

Host: Jeju 4.3 Memorial and Families Association of the U.S.

Support organizer: Jeju 4·3 International Network for Truth and Justice, Memorial Committee for the Jeju April 3rd Uprising and Massacre, Fletcher School North Korea Working Group

Sponsor: Jeju Special Self-Governing Province

RSVP: info@waldenkorea.org

Tel) 617-849-8433

The Boston-based Jeju 4.3 Memorial and Families Association of the U.S. strives to raise awareness on the tragic historical event known as the Jeju Massacre, urge the United States to uncover the truth and issue an apology, prevent future generations from repeating the same mistakes, and contribute to the development of a society that respects and protects justice, human rights, and peace.

The Jeju 4.3 Incident, a tragedy in modern Korean history, resulted in the killings of 30,000 people by the military and police during seven years and seven months of unrest from March 1947 until September 1954. Some scholars consider the Jeju 4.3 Incident as the starting point of the Cold War in Northeast Asia. In 2021, South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties passed the amendment to the Jeju 4.3 Special Act, making some progress in restoring the honor of the victims. However, the bereaved families of the Jeju 4.3 victims still face a challenging path amid ideological conflicts.

The U.S. military government, which held operational control of the Korean military during the most intense period of the crackdown,1948-1949, provided weapons to the Korean military and was directly and indirectly involved in the slaughter of Jeju residents, branding them as communists. In December 2022, our organization held the Jeju 4.3 Conference at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a U.S. Congressional think tank, and visited the U.S. Congress to urge them to uncover the truth about the Jeju 4.3 Incident.

Each year, the Commemoration of the Victims of the Jeju April 3 Incident is held on April 3 in Jeju, Korea. This date is the official memorial day of the Republic of Korea's government. It has now been 75 years since the Jeju 4.3 Incident.

In the United States, the Jeju 4.3 Victims Memorial Ceremony officially began last year. We invite you to attend this event to commemorate the victims of the Jeju 4.3 Incident and strengthen our bonds of friendship in the name of human rights that transcend ideology. A reception will follow the event from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Please RSVP to confirm your attendance.