Lee reaffirms commitment to abolishing statutes of limitations for state violence | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Friday the government will push to remove the statutes of limitations for criminal and civil cases involving those who commit state violence, as he honored victims of a 1948 civilian massacre on Jeju Island. Lee reiterated his earlier pledge as he marked the anniversary of the crackdown on the April 3 uprising against U.S. military-led rule following Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. "I offer deep condolences and sympathy to the surviving victims and bereaved families of the Jeju April 3 incident," Lee wrote on Facebook. The April 3 incident refers to a government crackdown that began in 1947 and lasted more than seven years, during which authorities, viewing the uprising as a communist rebellion, killed an estimated 14,000 to 30,000 civilians -- up to 10 percent of Jeju Island's population. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles PM vows to determine truth of 1948 Jeju massacre, restore victims' honor Lee reaffirms commitment to removing statutes of limitations of state violence Lee vows to hold those who commit state violence accountable in honor of 1948 Jeju massacre victims Keywords #Lee #Jeju uprising Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S. Korea N.K. leader inspects service facilities at new housing area prev Lee reaffirms commitment to abolishing statutes of limitations for state violence Next Lee reaffirms commitment to abolishing statutes of limitations for state violence

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By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Friday the government will push to remove the statutes of limitations for criminal and civil cases involving those who commit state violence, as he honored victims of a 1948 civilian massacre on Jeju Island.
Lee reiterated his earlier pledge as he marked the anniversary of the crackdown on the April 3 uprising against U.S. military-led rule following Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.
"I offer deep condolences and sympathy to the surviving victims and bereaved families of the Jeju April 3 incident," Lee wrote on Facebook.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a town hall meeting with residents of the southern island of Jeju on March 30, 2026. (Yonhap)
While South Korea's post-liberation history includes periods of growth and prosperity, Lee said it also contains a dark chapter marked by severe state violence. He noted that Jeju residents have worked to uncover the truth and restore the honor of victims.
Lee vowed to prevent such tragedies from recurring by abolishing the statute of limitations for state violence and holding those responsible accountable.
"I will ensure that, by abolishing the statute of limitations for state violence, responsibility for such acts can never be evaded as long as those responsible are alive," he said.
The April 3 incident refers to a government crackdown that began in 1947 and lasted more than seven years, during which authorities, viewing the uprising as a communist rebellion, killed an estimated 14,000 to 30,000 civilians -- up to 10 percent of Jeju Island's population.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- The April 3 incident refers to a government crackdown that began in 1947 and lasted more than seven years, during which authorities, viewing the uprising as a communist rebellion, killed an estimated 14,000 to 30,000 civilians -- up to 10 percent of Jeju Island's population. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles PM vows to determine truth of 1948 Jeju massacre, restore victims' honor Lee reaffirms commitment to removing statutes of limitations of state violence Lee vows to hold those who commit state violence accountable in honor of 1948 Jeju massacre victims Keywords #Lee #Jeju uprising Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- OK By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Friday the government will push to remove the statutes of limitations for criminal and civil cases involving those who commit state violence, as he honored victims of a 1948 civilian massacre on Jeju Island.
- Lee vowed to prevent such tragedies from recurring by abolishing the statute of limitations for state violence and holding those responsible accountable. "I will ensure that, by abolishing the statute of limitations for state violence, responsibility for such acts can never be evaded as long as those responsible are alive," he said.
- The April 3 incident refers to a government crackdown that began in 1947 and lasted more than seven years, during which authorities, viewing the uprising as a communist rebellion, killed an estimated 14,000 to 30,000 civilians -- up to 10 percent of Jeju Island's population. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles PM vows to determine truth of 1948 Jeju massacre, restore victims' honor Lee reaffirms commitment to removing statutes of limitations of state violence Lee vows to hold those who commit state violence accountable in honor of 1948 Jeju massacre victims Keywords #Lee #Jeju uprising Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.
- Korea co-sponsors U.N. resolution on N.K. human rights (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers lee, state, violence topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 568.