Every April, the hearts of Jeju residents bloom with camellias. The camellia is a symbol of the pain of Jeju, representing the Jeju 4·3 incident.

The Jeju 4·3 occurred in 1948 on Jeju Island. After liberation, many Jeju residents were sacrificed during the violent conflicts and suppression, and that pain still remains with the residents and the entire island of Jeju. Beginning in 1992 with artist Kang Yo-bae's 4·3 series 'The Falling Camellia,' the camellia has established itself as a symbol of the Jeju 4·3 victims. Jeju SK FC (hereinafter referred to as Jeju SK) also does not forget the painful history of the Jeju 4·3.

Jeju SK has made various efforts every year to commemorate the victims and their families on the anniversary of the Jeju 4·3, further healing the pain of Jeju and promoting the spirit of reconciliation and coexistence inherent in the 4·3. In 2018, marking the 70th anniversary, the team launched a relay campaign titled 'Please Hang Camellias in April,' in which the entire team and club front participated.

The team invited 22 children from the 4·3 survivors' association to enter with the players, also participating in the commemoration and awareness of the 4·3. Since then, they have been carrying out various commemorative activities related to the Jeju 4·3 every year.

Starting from the 2021 season, Jeju SK has been attaching a 'camellia patch' to the chest area of their uniforms every April, participating in official matches to share the pain of the residents and promote it nationwide.

This year, too, the camellias bloom brightly on Jeju SK's chest. In commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the Jeju 4·3, on April 6 (Sunday) against Gwangju (away), April 13 (Sunday) against Jeonbuk (away), April 20 (Sunday) against Pohang (home), and April 26 (Saturday) against Anyang (away), the team will wear the 'camellia patch' on their chests during a total of four league matches in April.

A Jeju official noted, "Every April in Jeju, camellias bloom. As a professional club based in Jeju, we empathize with the pain of the Jeju 4·3 and aim to broadly promote through what we have, playing a role that goes beyond football with the residents. Our goal is for our club and the K League to become a positive influence that transcends the realms of football and impacts the nation and society as a whole."

[Photo] Provided by Jeju SK FC

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