Here stands Jeju girl middle and high school a place where history whispers. Every Korean student learns about Jeju’s past because it’s alive here. We will explore some of Jeju’s story.
Tamna is Jeju’s ancient name. It means island country. Tamna’s settlement myth is known as Samseong shinhwa. You can see archaeological evidence at the Samyang-dong Prehistoric Site. It is Historic Site No. 416. This site reveals society during Tamna’s formation. That was from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D.
Tamna actively traded with Baekje Goguryeo and Silla during the Three Kingdoms Period. After Silla and Dang defeated Baekje Tamna had diplomatic ties with China’s Dang Dynasty and Japan. Historically Tamna was the independent Kingdom of the Sea. The Goryeo Dynasty controlled it and renamed it Jeju. Jeju means a big province across the sea.
Sambyeolcho made Jeju his final battlefield. He built a double-walled fortress inside an oreum. This is now Hangpaduri. The fortress stretched across 6 kilometers. It had a height of 5 meters. Its width was 3.4 kilometers. Inside was a stone castle government offices and defenses. Sambyeolcho fought until his death. Hangpaduri fell on April 4 1273. Sambyeolcho’s blood stained the oreum red. Since then it’s been called Bulgeun Red Oreum. You can still find traces of the fortress. Stone hinges and tiles are displayed in the Hangpaduri Museum. An Anti-Mongolian Monument honors Sambyeolcho’s spirit.
Jeju Island served as an exile site. Around 200 people were exiled here during the Choseon Dynasty. Its isolation made it suitable for criminals. Travel was difficult then. Chusa Kim Jeong-Hee completed Sehando while in exile here. The Chusa Exile Site reminds us of his life.
Jeju people actively joined independence movements. The Jocheon Independence Movement the Beopjeongsa Movement and the Women Divers Anti-Japanese Movement were key. Despite being small Jeju strongly resisted Japan. The 1930 Women Divers Anti-Japanese Movement involved over 10000 women. It was the largest national movement by women.
In 1948 Jeju suffered the April 3rd Incident. It’s one of Korea’s worst tragedies. Tens of thousands died and about 130 villages were destroyed. The April 3rd Incident lasted about seven years. Historical sites related to it are found across the island. Jeju has become an island of tourism and world peace. To experience true peace understand Jeju’s tragic past. The April 3rd Peace Park remembers the victims. It educates about peace and human rights.
Consider this as you pass the Jeju girl middle and high school. It has witnessed significant events. It stands as a testament to Jeju’s resilience and spirit.