Key Moments
Retracing the Forgotten: Why Jeju 4.3 Is Relevant to Us | Chaeri (Iris) Kang | TEDxKISJeju
TEDKey Moments
The Jeju 4.3 Incident, a massacre of over 30,000, remains largely unknown, overshadowed by blame and historical facts, obscuring the human stories of love, memory, and resilience.
Key Insights
The Jeju 4.3 Incident resulted in over 30,000 deaths, representing more than 10% of Jeju's population at the time.
The incident's roots trace back to post-WWII division of Korea and the US military government's retention of pro-Japanese collaborators.
A general strike on March 10th involved nearly 95% of Jeju's workers and civilians, who were framed as communist-inspired by authorities.
Author Ko Un's book 'Unsuni' about the incident was banned for 14 years under the National Security Act.
The Hagiri one cemetery was established by Jeju villagers independently, featuring a stone that states, "Looking back, everyone is a victim. So, everyone erects the stone to show forgiveness."
A 2022 retrial saw the prosecutor, in tears, ask for the acquittal of Jeju 4.3 survivors, stating there was "absolutely no evidence of any crime."
A forgotten massacre and its human cost
The Jeju 4.3 Incident, a brutal massacre that claimed over 30,000 lives 77 years ago, remains largely unknown even to many Koreans. Occurring on the island of Jeju, often called a 'Korean Hawaii,' the incident saw more than 10% of the island's population lost. The speaker emphasizes that while facts and responsibility debates often dominate discussions, the true tragedy lies in the untold stories of ordinary people who had loved ones, dreams, and regrets, just like anyone else. The J43 Peace Park serves as a memorial, yet survivors lived in fear, hiding their scars, a testament to the deep-seated trauma and systematic silencing that followed the event.
Historical context: Division and discontent
The roots of the Jeju 4.3 incident are deeply embedded in the post-World War II geopolitical landscape. Following Korea's liberation from Japanese rule, the peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union occupying the North and the United States administering the South. The US military government maintained pro-Japanese collaborators in key positions to ensure order, a decision that eroded public trust. Tensions further escalated after a protest on March 1, 1947, marking the anniversary of the independence movement. An estimated 30,000 people gathered, calling for the rejection of foreign influence. A subsequent incident where a child was injured by a police horse led to stones being thrown at policemen, and a reinforcement unit firing into the crowd, resulting in six civilian deaths and six injuries. This police brutality was reframed as a riot, igniting further unrest.
The uprising and scorched earth policy
In response to perceived police brutality and the framing of their actions as a riot, Jeju civilians organized a massive general strike on March 10, 1948. Nearly 95% of Jeju's workers, including those in factories, schools, and government offices, participated. Despite this widespread civilian action, the US military government and Korean authorities continued to label the protests as communist-inspired, with a memo estimating Jeju's population as 70% left-wing. This narrative aligned with the Cold War agenda of suppressing leftist movements. On April 3, 1948, the South Korean Labor Party launched an armed uprising. The subsequent suppression intensified, leading to a scorched earth policy and martial law. The violence came from both sides—police authorities and armed insurgents—who threatened civilians for cooperating with either side or for remaining silent, but the majority of the estimated 30,000 casualties were unarmed Jeju civilians.
Beyond facts: The oversight of nonviolent efforts and women's resilience
The tragedy of Jeju 4.3 extends beyond the casualties and suppression tactics; it lies in the ease with which the nonviolent efforts of the Jeju people and their desire for a better society are overlooked. While the South Korean Labor Party's violent actions contributed to the casualties, many individuals advocated for peaceful protest, a fact overshadowed by the dominant narrative of violence. The incident also left many villages without a male population, yet Jeju women persevered, rebuilding their communities. The Jeju Henyas, female divers, are specifically highlighted for their role in sustaining their families' livelihoods by continuing to dive into the cold sea, symbolizing remarkable resilience.
Barriers to reconciliation: Media blame and psychological distancing
Several factors contribute to the oversight of the Jeju 4.3 incident's human dimension. Media narratives often focus on perpetrators rather than survivors, leading to endless debates about blame, as seen in YouTube searches. This emphasis on assigning responsibility hinders understanding of the victims' lives. Psychologically, the 'just world theory'—the belief that people get what they deserve—can lead individuals to unconsciously distance themselves from victims of injustice, making empathy difficult. This theory suggests that when confronted with the reality of innocent suffering, people may find it easier to rationalize the suffering by believing the victims somehow deserved it, thus avoiding the unsettling contradiction to their worldview.
Systematic silencing and enduring acts of forgiveness
A significant cause of the oversight has been systematic silencing under oppressive governments. Dictatorships made it nearly impossible for Jeju people to speak about the incident. Author Ko Un's book 'Unsuni,' which confronted his trauma from the incident, was famously banned for 14 years under the National Security Act. Despite these oppressive measures, Jeju people led reconciliation efforts. The establishment of Hagiri one, a cemetery created by villagers who had suffered immensely, stands as a powerful symbol. Instead of resentment, they chose forgiveness, erecting a stone that reads, 'Looking back, everyone is a victim. So, everyone erects the stone to show forgiveness.' This initiative was independently funded by the villagers, showcasing their resilience and desire for healing and peace.
Judicial recognition and the prosecutor's tears
A significant step toward acknowledging the truth occurred on March 29, 2022, with a retrial for Jeju 4.3 survivors wrongfully convicted decades prior. The court declared that one-tenth of Jeju's population had lost their lives and over 10,000 households were destroyed in the incident, committed in the name of public power and ideology. What was particularly moving was the prosecutor's statement, delivered with tears, acknowledging that the victims were innocent of any crime and were unjustly punished. The prosecutor asked for the acquittal of all defendants, stating, 'There is absolutely no evidence of any crime.' This moment of vulnerability from a state representative offered a powerful act of acknowledgment and reaffirmed the importance of collective healing and empathy.
Beyond resilience: Confronting lingering suffering and shared humanity
Interviews with survivors, like Mr. Taekkyun Kim, who was six during the incident and lost his older brother, reveal immense resilience and a cultivated sense of understanding. He shared how the Jeju people managed to live through hardships, with women like the Henyas playing a crucial role. However, the speaker noted that conversations often returned to Mr. Kim's disappointment regarding the lack of compensation, highlighting that admiring resilience should not obscure their lingering suffering and pain. True acknowledgment requires confronting the full extent of their pain, not just celebrating their strength. By engaging with personal traces—like childhood memories or room appearances shared in media—we can see survivors as full individuals and understand the emotional weight of reconciliation. This process is not limited to Jeju; it offers guiding lights for navigating pain in our own lives and communities, reminding us that tragedies, however severe, connect us through shared humanity.
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Common Questions
The Jeju 4.3 Incident was a massacre that claimed the lives of over 30,000 people, representing more than 10% of Jeju Island's population at the time.
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Mentioned in this video
A place on Jeju Island with tombstones and archival collections, serving as a site for remembrance and the annual Jeju 4.3 commemoration event.
Occupied the South of Korea after WWII and maintained pro-Japanese collaborators in key positions, influencing public opinion and the Jeju 4.3 incident.
A cemetery established by Jeju villagers who suffered during the incident, symbolizing forgiveness and a spirit of resilience, independently funded by donations.
Its post-genocide reconciliation efforts, particularly the Gacaca courts, are presented as an example of community-led trials where victims and perpetrators seek truth and justice.
The conflict between these nations is cited as an example of ongoing global conflicts where reconciliation processes can serve as a model for tension resolution.
The long-lasting stalemate between these two nations is mentioned in the context of ongoing global conflicts where reconciliation processes are relevant for resolving tension.
Launched an armed uprising on April 3rd, 1948, which is seen as a catalyst for the Jeju 4.3 incident, and was later framed by authorities as communist-inspired.
Framed the actions of Jeju civilians as communist-inspired and maintained order, contributing to the suppression of leftist movements and the perception of Jeju as a 'red island'.
Site of a retrial on March 29, 2022, for Jeju 4.3 survivors who were wrongfully convicted, where the prosecutor tearfully requested acquittals, signifying a powerful act of acknowledgement.
America's agenda during this period influenced the suppression of leftist movements and the framing of the Jeju incident, aligning with a strategy to maintain order and stability.
The psychological belief that the world is fair and people get what they deserve, which can lead individuals to unconsciously distance themselves from victims of injustice, hindering empathy.
A reconciliation effort introduced by Tim Orstee, involving victims and perpetrators sitting together on a mat to talk, symbolizing a path to healing.
Female divers from Jeju who persevered and sustained their families' livelihoods by diving into cold water, even after the Jeju 4.3 incident, demonstrating resilience.
Mentioned as the proponent of the 'just world theory', which suggests people believe the world is fair and people get what they deserve, a theory that can hinder empathy towards victims of unjust suffering like those in the Jeju 4.3 incident.
A survivor of the Jeju 4.3 incident who was six years old at the time and lost his brother. He shared his story, highlighting the resilience of the Jeju people and his disappointment regarding lack of compensation.
Introduced a reconciliation effort called 'Nah BT' (laying down a mat), where victims and perpetrators sit together and talk, as an example of healing starting in stories and communities.
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