This event, composed of two distinct parts, is organized to commemorate the resilience of the people of Jeju Island and to honor the memory of those lost during the 4.3 Incident (1948–1954). One of the most harrowing chapters of modern Korean history, the uprising and subsequent "scorched earth" operations resulted in the death of nearly 10% to 20% of the island’s population. Beyond the staggering loss of life, the uprising carries profound geopolitical weight; it was a desperate struggle against the division of the Korean Peninsula and a rejection of the remnants of Japanese colonial police structures. For decades, this tragedy was officially silenced under the National Security Act, forcing survivors to carry the burden of "guilt by association" in the shadows.

We begin Part I of the event with a curated film screening documenting this historical arc—providing the essential context for the deep-seated scars left on the island. The screening will feature a selection of visual testimonies and cinematic works that bring this hidden history into the light. Among these is the award-winning "Voices" (2024), a profound documentary that specifically illuminates the long-shrouded experiences of the female survivors of the massacre. By focusing on the testimonies of the island's famous jahmnyeo (female free divers) and other women who carried the weight of trauma for decades, the film provides a vital, underrepresented perspective on state-sanctioned violence and the stigma of survival.

Following the screening, we move into a "Postmemory Talk" and "Book Discussion" on 2024 Nobel Laureate Han Kang’s latest novel, We Do Not Part. The talk explores the ethical responsibility of the "generation after" to engage with a past they did not personally live through, reclaiming victims' identities from political labels like "rebels" and restoring them to their humanity. Part II then transitions into a dedicated book discussion and initial discussion of Kang's masterpiece. Through the persistent imagery of Jeju’s snow and wind, the novel illustrates that mourning is not a process with an end, but a continuous act of communal witnessing. This segment offers a space for collective reflection on themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the archival preservation of memory, ensuring that the snow of the past never fully covers the truth of the present. (Please note that reading the book beforehand is not required to participate.)

Part 2 Registration: https://myumi.ch/dgx2n

To help us prepare materials and accommodate all guests, please register your attendance for Part 2 of the event at the link above. Your RSVP allows us to better assist you and ensure a meaningful experience for everyone.

To learn more about the Jeju 4.3 uprising and massacre, please visit http://jeju43peace.org or download this pdf document (https://myumi.ch/D82J8) created by Jeju Dark Tours (https://www.jejudarktours.org)

Accommodation: If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at outreachkorea@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.