Silencing the Sound of Cracking Bones: Victim Identification as Memorial Practice in Jeju 4.3

Abstract

This article examines the exhumation and identification process conducted at Jeju International Airport to search for the Jeju 4.3 victims who have been missing for more than 70 years. The discovery of a thousand intricate bones beneath the airport's surface shattered the imagined anonymity and uniformity of the space, revealing a profound connection to memory and history. I argue that this project shed light on the relationships among human remains, memory, and history, uncovering critical evidence of extreme violence and providing a platform to address the unspoken wounds of the community. The article underscores the intricate relationship between science and politics when confronting the complexities of a difficult past. It acknowledges the supportive role of the government while also highlighting the limitations and selective application of science, as evidenced in cases such as the burial of government opposition militants. Through victim identification, the deceased have been granted a rightful resting place, allowing the public to witness and engage with the past. However, with identification now possible, bodies which, by legal determination, cannot be categorized as ‘victims’ are ineligible for exhumation. To highlight the intricate confluence of science, memory, and politics, this article contributes to the comprehension of collective memory, the contextualization of history, and the multifaceted dynamics inherent in addressing traumatic historical events.