This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker profiles the Jeju April 3rd Peace Park in Bonggae-dong, Jeju City, a somber, beautiful area of the island dedicated to contemplation and education regarding this tragic time in Jeju’s history.


The April 3rd Incident involved years of bloodshed that swept through Jeju in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Since then, April 3rd has become a day of mourning and remembrance for the people of Jeju and Korea.

[Slug CG] 40-hectare April 3rd Peace Park in Bonggae-dong, Jeju City

The first stage of construction of the Jeju April 3rd Peace Park was completed in 2008 and is dedicated to the victims and their families. The 40-hectare property is located in a quiet, peaceful area called Bonggae-dong, a short drive southeast of Jeju City. The expansive grounds are designed to encourage peaceful, contemplative strolls.

[Slug CG] Learn the history of the incident at memorial hall, exhibition halls

The park’s Memorial Hall currently holds around 14,000 memorial tablets with the names of victims. Since many of the dead were never located, a further 3,800 gravestones are symbolically arranged near the hall.

In the main building there are six Exhibition Halls, and one Special Exhibition Hall. Arranged in chronological order, the hall provides visitors with a comprehensive history of the incident.

[Slug CG] Annual remembrance ceremonies take place at the park

Every year on April 3rd, the victims and their families are commemorated at the park by dignitaries and the general public. As many of those directly affected by 4.3 have since passed away or are very aged, there is an added sense of urgency and importance to mark this solemn occasion.

[Slug CG] Todd Thacker

If you have the opportunity to come to Jeju or you live here full time, please consider visiting the April 3rd Peace Park. You will get a deeper sense of the lives, struggles and tragedies of the Jeju people.

Todd Thacker KCTV