Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon formally requested that the South Korean Minister of Veterans Affairs, Kwon Oh-eul, expedite the cancellation of National Veteran registration for Colonel Park Jin-kyung, who was involved in the brutal suppression of the Jeju 4·3 uprising in 1948. This meeting comes as tensions rise, with local residents and victims' families expressing outrage at Park's recent designation as a national veteran, as they believe this honors a figure responsible for significant atrocities against their community. The request was made in light of the upcoming annual commemoration of the 4·3 victims, highlighting the sensitive nature of the discussion and its connection to historical grievances.

During the meeting, Kwon outlined that the registration cancellation process following the legal framework involving the acknowledgment of national veterans was already initiated on February 26, and remains currently under review by the Veterans Review Board. He indicated that while the board's final decision is still pending, there is a strong belief that the outcome will align with the community's sentiments against Park’s registration.

The controversy over Park's registration arose when his grandson submitted a application based on claims of valor during the 4·3 uprising; this spurred a swift public backlash as residents and 4·3 victim advocacy groups condemned the approval as deeply inappropriate. As a result, in December, Minister Kwon traveled to Jeju to apologize for any oversight, revealing the significant political dimensions of this case and even prompting intervention by President Lee Jae-myung to reassess the prior decisions made by the Veterans Affairs Ministry. This case encapsulates the ongoing struggle within South Korea to reconcile its complex history, particularly addressing the legacies of conflict and suffering in Jeju.