This is a modified copy from PC-Biz

📜 PC(USA) 227th General Assembly (2026)

[RIW-08] On Jeju in Korea

Overture Issued By: The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley

Concurrences: Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery, The Cascades Presbytery

Core Request: To acknowledge the Jeju April 3rd Tragedy, advocate for an investigation into U.S. responsibility, and coordinate 80th-anniversary ecumenical commemorations in 2028.

1. Action Items (The Overture)

The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley respectfully overtures the 227th General Assembly (2026) to:

  • Acknowledge & Grieve: Mourn the loss of life and destruction of property during the Jeju April 3rd Tragedy during a worship service at this General Assembly.

  • Advocate for Accountability: Direct the advocacy offices of the Interim Unified Agency (or its successor) to urge the U.S. government to investigate U.S. responsibility and complicity in the tragedy, focusing on the role of the United States Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK).

  • Consult with Korean Ecumenical Partners: Direct staff to consult electronically with South Korean mission partners—including the PCK (Presbyterian Church of Korea), PROK (Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea), and NCCK (National Council of Churches in Korea)—to execute the following initiatives:

📅 2028 Joint Observances (80th Anniversary)

  • Condolences: Offer official PC(USA) condolences to the survivors and descendants of the tragedy.

  • Shared Observances: Coordinate joint study, worship, and action for the 80th anniversary in 2028.

  • Pilgrimage: Organize a joint ecumenical pilgrimage to Jeju Island in 2028 involving representatives from PC(USA), PCK, PROK, and NCCK.

  • Multilingual Resource Creation (English, Spanish, and Korean):

    • Produce a video report documenting the pilgrimage visit.

    • Develop a study guide featuring the voices of directly impacted individuals.

    • Compile a comprehensive bibliography of resources.

    • Create worship materials to remember those affected.

  • Denominational Distribution: Electronically share all created resources (video, study guide, bibliography, worship materials) with PC(USA) congregations, mid councils, and Korean partner entities.

  • Peace-Building: Explore opportunities for joint prayer and witness regarding long-term peace on the Korean peninsula.

2. Rationale

  • The Paradox of Jeju: While Jeju Island is currently designated a UNESCO Global Geopark and South Korea’s "Island of Peace," it harbors a deeply painful history.

  • The Scale of Loss: From March 1, 1947, to September 21, 1954, civilian violence resulted in the deaths of 14,000 to 30,000 people—roughly 10% of Jeju’s entire population.

  • U.S. Military Government Involvement: Following WWII and preceding the formal establishment of South Korea on August 15, 1948, the USAMGIK held official control. Historical consensus suggests the atrocities could not have occurred without at least the tacit approval of the USAMGIK. The U.S. military has never issued a public accounting of its involvement.

  • The Triggering Events: On March 1, 1947, a peaceful commemoration ended in chaos when a mounted police officer injured a child. Enraged crowds threw rocks, prompting police to fire into the unarmed crowd—killing 6 and wounding 8. The USAMGIK labeled Jeju a "Red Island," deploying mainland police and the Northwest Young Adults League (NWYL), whose unchecked violence against civilians severely escalated the conflict.

  • Scorched-Earth Operations: Following an armed uprising on April 3, 1948, against the permanent division of the peninsula, the newly formed military initiated brutal suppression operations. "Scorched-earth" tactics destroyed over 300 mountain villages (95% of the total) and displaced thousands. Martial law was finally lifted on September 21, 1954.

Biblical Mandate

God asked Cain: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.” — Genesis 4:10

The church faces a similar question today. Responding to the cries of those who perished requires breaking our silence, confronting historical truth, and practicing repentance to build real reconciliation.

3. Financial Implications & Budget

Estimated funding required for the implementation of this overture:

YearPer Capita Cost ImpactTotal Budgeted Cost2027$0.10$88,0912028$0.02$16,225Total$104,316

  • Attachment Reference: RIW-08_On_Jeju_in_Korea.pdf

4. Committee Advice & Counsel

🤝 Unification Commission: [Recommend Approval]

  • Ecumenical Alignment: Partner denominations PROK and NCCK have passed similar resolutions. The PCK does not have an official stance, illustrating the complex history where Christians from both PCK and PROK were part of the military/police forces at the time.

  • Focus on Lament, Not Blame: This overture does not assign fault or issue condemnations. It calls for a prayer of lament, which aligns with Presbyterian tradition when lives are lost under leaders representing us. It mirrors previous General Assembly actions regarding historical injustices (e.g., the No Gun Ri massacre response, actions on racism, and colonialism).

⚖️ Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP): [Recommend Approval]

  • Advises the General Assembly to approve the overture as it aligns with previous denominational actions toward justice, repair, and peace-building within the Korean peninsula.

✊ Racial Equity Advocacy Committee (REAC): [Recommend Approval with Amendment]

  • Recommends approval with an amendment ensuring a dedicated entry is created for the Mission Yearbook and that the remembrance date is formally included in the Presbyterian Planning Calendar.

5. Directory of Personnel

Resource Persons (Presbyterian Life & Witness)

  • Mienda Uriarte

  • David Gambrell

  • Kate Trigger Duffert

  • Kurt Esslinger

  • Cathy Chang

  • Aimee Moiso (Staff Support to ACSWP)

  • Melonee Tubb & Hayley Scheir (Staff Support to Advocacy Committees)

Committee Representatives

  • Sarang Kang (Racial Equity Advocacy Committee - REAC)

  • Rick Nutt, Tamar Wasoian, & Jeromey Howard (Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy - ACSWP)

Overture Advocates

  • Rev. Earl B. Arnold (Presb. of Susquehanna Valley)

  • Linda Russell (Presb. of Cayuga-Syracuse)

📚 References & Source Material

  1. Truth Investigation Report: The National Committee for Investigation of the Truth about the Jeju April 3 Incident | Download PDF

  2. Legal Framework: Republic of Korea, “Special Act on Discovering the Truth of the Jeju 4·3 Incident” | View Legislation

  3. Historical Summary: Memorial Committee for the 70th Anniversary, “Truth and Justice for the Unforgettable Past” | Jeju Dark Tours

  4. Literature & History:

    • Han Kang (Nobel Laureate), We Do Not Part (2021; Eng. Trans 2025).

    • Bruce Cummings, The Korean War: A History (Modern Library: 2011).

  5. Partner Links: bit.ly/PROK | bit.ly/NCCK | bit.ly/PROK1