2. Search for April 3rd Incident victims’ remains begins
Traditional rite marks start of work at airport

Mourners and officials gathered Tuesday for a traditional rite to commemorate the start of work to look for remains of April 3rd Incident victims thought to be buried at Jeju International Airport.

The ceremony was held near the north-south runway, where remains have already been exhumed.

Governor Won Hee-ryong, April 3rd Incident Peace Foundation President Yang Jo-hoon, representative of the relatives of April Third Incident victims Yang Yoon-kyeong, and other relatives participated in the ceremony and prayed for the successful completion of the project.

In his speech, the governor said he would do everything in his power to ensure all remains are found and exhumed. He said doing so is in line with the “strict order” of local residents and victims’ relatives to uncover the truth of the incident and restore the honor of the victims.

Through the end of November, researchers will inspect 20,000 square meters of land around the north-south runway and exhume any remains they find.

제주공항 4·3 희생자 유해발굴 개토제 열려

제주 4.3 당시 수백 명이 집단 학살됐던 제주공항에서 희생자 유해발굴 재개를 위한 개토제가 열렸습니다.

제주공항 남북활주로 유해 발굴지점에서 진행된 10일 개토제에는 원희룡 지사와 양조훈 4.3평화재단 이사장, 양윤경 4.3유족회장을 비롯한 4.3 유족들이 찾아 희생자들의 넋을 기리고 유해발굴이 성공적으로 마무리되기를 기원했습니다.

원희룡 지사는 주제사를 통해 4.3 진상규명과 명예회복은 도민과 유족들의 준엄한 명령이라며 마지막 유해까지 가족품으로 돌아갈 수 있도록 최선을 다하겠다고 밝혔습니다.

이번 유해발굴 조사는 제주공항 남북활주로 일대 2만여 제곱미터를 대상으로 11월 말까지 진행됩니다.