President Moon Jae-in has paid tribute to the victims of the April 3 Jeju uprising and massacre, which marks its 72nd anniversary this year.
In his address at a ceremony in Jeju, Moon assured island residents that his administration would make every possible effort to legislate compensation for the victims and bereaved families.
He pointed out "a revision bill on the April 3 incident is still pending at the National Assembly", adding the government will "continue efforts for substantive compensation to be realized as basic justice."
The president also urged lawmakers and politicians to pay "special heed" and provide support with regard to the matter.
The revision bill, submitted in late 2017, calls for reparations for the victims and their families, the recovery of their honor and additional investigation into the truth behind the incident.
Tens of thousands of civilians were killed by the authorities in a bloody crackdown on Jeju island as they were protesting against U.S. military-led rule following Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
