For the first time in nine years, researchers have resumed work to recover the remains of the April 3rd Incident victims. They believe the bodies of hundreds people lie buried at Jeju International Airport. The bereaved families have waited for the exhumations for 70 years.

Mike Laidman reports.

A solemn ritual signals the excavation of remains of victims of the April 3rd Incident, buried near the airport, left undiscovered, but not forgotten.

[slug] Exhumations resuming soon at Jeju International Airport

Families who lost loved ones during the atrocities so long ago have long wished to be reunited.

But despite this most recent act on their behalf, hearts still ache as they relive the painful past.

These excavations are the final hope many have in any sort of reunification with lost family members.

Recording
Yang Yu-gil / 4.3 Incident survivor
Two of my brothers were killed because of me. I do appreciate these long-awaited excavations by the government.
<씽크:양유길/제주4·3행방불명인 유족 >
"나 때문에 우리 오빠 둘이 희생당한거야. 이렇게 (유해발굴) 해주니 얼마나 고마워요. 그동안 못했잖아요. 정부에서 해주니 감사하게 여겨요"

Governor Won Heeryong wishes that all of the buried bodies be sent to their families and pays his respects to the victims, wishing for peaceful, eternal rest.

Recording
Won Heeryong / Governor
We have an obligation return the bodies of the April 3rd Incident victims to their families, and to continue the excavations.
<씽크:원희룡 지사>
"제주도정은 4·3희생자 최후의 유해까지 가족 품에 안겨드려야 한다는 의무감으로 유해발굴을 적극 뒷받침하겠습니다."



The exhumations will be made on a 9,900 square meter area of land near the north-south runway at the Jeju International Airport.

Based on research by the Jeju April 3rd Research Institute and on testimonies, three sites have been selected for further investigation, which will be run by the The Jeju April 3rd Peace Foundation.



Recording
Yang Jo-hun / Head, Jeju 4.3 Peace Foundation
We'll make every effort to find the missing bodies and to bring some resolution to the bereaved families.
<씽크:양조훈/4.3 평화재단 이사장>
"70년 동안 유족들의 한을 풀기 위해서라도 행방불명 희생자 유해발굴에 대해 최선을 다할 것을 말씀드립니다."

[slug] 388 bodies recovered during 2007, 2008 excavations

During the two previous rounds of airport excavations in 2007 and 2008, 388 bodies were uncovered.

[slug] Third round of recovery work to begin July 18

249 people were sentenced to death at a court-martial held in 1949, and about 800 subjects in preventive custody were executed by soldiers in 1949 and 1950.

The Jeju April 3rd Peace Foundation believes the bodies of 200 hundred people still lie buried at the Jeju International Airport.

The foundation will start its investigation Wednesday, with the exhumation process to be completed by November. All discovered bodies will be identified via DNA test by October.



[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol

This new round of work will hopefully go some ways to shedding even more light on the tragedy that took the lives of one in ten Jeju people, and offer some closure to those families still seeking answers about their loved ones.

Mike Laidman, KCTV