This is the third part of the Jeju Revolt which took place in 1901.
The American advisor, William Franklin Sands, managed to quell the rebellion but was left with the task of determining who would be tried for the crimes committed. Sands was amazed at not only the number of rebels but also their uniforms and equipment: ”Some were dressed in leather cloaks with hairy dog-skin hats like the coon-skin caps of American pioneer riflemen, the tail of dog dangling over the shoulders.” Sands selected 13 rebels, the main leaders and transported them to Seoul where they were tried by Korean judges using Western ideas of justice. However, the court quickly degenerated:
“…both the accused and the witnesses brazenly lied throughout the trial. In exasperation the judges, after conferring with Sands, ordered a ‘slight return to primitive methods.’ A saw-buck and paddles were brought into the court room and immediately had their desired effect- fear. The witnesses and accused were convinced that they would be beaten until they testified with the ‘truth’ that the court wanted to hear. They readily agreed to re-testify and the trial was completed. The accused were found guilty.”
You can read the rest of the article here: Part Three
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Very nice trip down memory lane. I know a lot more about Jeju than I did before. I haven’t been there since 1998; but I want to go back.
This has been an intereting read. It really gives the impression that Koreans were incapable of doing anything themselves at that time.
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