Launch of the Jeju 4·3 Memorial and Families Association of the U.S.
A new U.S.-based hub for truth, honor restoration, solidarity, and next-generation education—alongside the launch of Walden Korea.
On July 16, 2021, the Jeju 4.3 Memorial and Families Association of the U.S. was officially launched. Suyeon Yang, a journalist, was appointed Chairwoman, and Young Jun Yang, a doctor of Oriental medicine based in Washington, D.C., was named Vice-Chairman. Yuna Kim, a Johns Hopkins University doctoral researcher working on a dissertation related to Jeju 4.3, was appointed Secretary-General.
Representing survivors’ and bereaved families, the Association serves as a U.S.-based hub to advance work related to the Jeju 4.3 Incident. Its goals include identifying bereaved families and victims within immigrant communities, restoring honor, supporting truth-finding efforts, expanding solidarity networks, and educating the next generation.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch ceremony was held as a live Zoom event. In her inaugural address, Chairwoman Yang stated that although many families have lived abroad for a long time, the bereaved families in the United States will not forget the Jeju 4.3 Massacre.
Several leaders offered congratulatory remarks. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor Won Hee-ryong noted that public awareness of Jeju 4.3 has grown in Korea, symbolized by widespread use of the camellia badge, and emphasized that the Association’s launch marks a beginning in sharing the truth of Jeju 4.3 and advancing the values of justice and human rights. Assemblyman Oh Young-hoon described 2021 as a meaningful year, citing revisions to special legislation related to truth investigation and honor restoration. Oh Im-jong, Chair of the Jeju 4.3 Bereaved Families Association, expressed hope that efforts to hold the United States accountable and to build a world grounded in peace and human rights would comfort the spirits of those unjustly sacrificed. Yang Jo-hoon, Chair of the Jeju 4.3 Peace Foundation, highlighted the historical context of Jeju 4.3 under the U.S. Military Government and the involvement of U.S. military advisers during the suppression process, expressing hope that truth and reconciliation efforts in both Korea and the United States would accelerate.
Chairwoman Yang also announced the launch of Walden Korea, a nonprofit international academic exchange organization focused on human rights and peace, emphasizing education for the next generation. Walden Korea will research the Jeju 4.3 Massacre and organize seminars on Jeju 4.3 and related human rights issues. A Walden Korea Planning Committee was formed, including undergraduate and graduate students in the United States and Korea from institutions such as Boston College, Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, Brandeis University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Kyung Hee University, and Sogang University. The launch ceremony was sponsored by the Memorial Committee for the Jeju April 3rd Uprising and Massacre and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.