Hope Elizabeth May
Central Michigan University/Graduate Institute of Peace Studies, Kyung Hee University

Received August 1, 2018; Revised version received August 25, 2018; Accepted September 5, 2018

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the Jeju 4.3 incident through a framework of virtue, vice and international ethics. By utilizing primary source documents such as the United States’ Military Intelligence reports (the G-2 Weekly Summaries and Periodic Reports), the incident is described as arising from a “cocktail of vices” – including not only cognitive errors, but also affective vices of character such as factionalism and the inability to compromise. Seen in this way, the Jeju incident offers a lesson about international ethics of which we should be mindful as we move towards the peaceful unification of the two Koreas.

Key Words : Democracy, United Nations, Elections, Korea, United States, Jeju Island