EYEDTTT

The Jeju April 3 Incident is an indelible wound in the collective memory of the Korean people. It was a prolonged campaign of military and police repression that lasted for six and a half years, from April 3, 1948, to September 21, 1954.

The background of the incident lies in the aftermath of World War II. The Korean Peninsula was divided, with the southern half placed under the control of the United States Military Government in Korea, and the northern half under Soviet administration. Jeju Island fell under U.S. control. After Japan’s defeat, many people who had been mobilized for the war returned to Jeju, causing the island’s population to suddenly increase by more than 60,000. This rapid influx led to severe unemployment, the spread of infectious diseases, and food shortages, plunging local residents into deep hardship.

The immediate trigger of the Jeju April 3 Incident can be traced back to March 1, 1947—just one day after Taiwan’s February 28 Incident. That day marked the anniversary of Korea’s March 1st Movement, and residents gathered to watch a commemorative demonstration. During the procession, a mounted police officer struck a six-year-old child with his horse and failed to stop. Enraged, the crowd demanded that the officer be held accountable. The police, mistaking the protest for an uprising, opened fire on the civilians. This incident ignited widespread anger and caused long-suppressed grievances to erupt. Islanders responded by organizing large-scale strikes to express their discontent.

To the authorities at the time—and to the United States—Jeju Island was viewed as a “red island.” As a result, mass strikes were interpreted as being directed by socialism or communism, and were met with violent suppression. The situation worsened after Syngman Rhee declared martial law on Jeju. One particularly brutal measure was the so-called “scorched-earth policy,” under which anyone found more than five kilometers inland from the coastline could be killed on sight. If a single family member was suspected of involvement with the Workers’ Party, entire families were executed—regardless of age, sparing neither the elderly nor children.

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(just things I thought about while writing Countryhumans)

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Core Philosophy

My interpretation of Countryhumans is government-first, people-second , not that people don't influence it at all

By that I mean: the government is the core structural force of a country. It directs policy, law, international relations, and ultimately shapes what the country does outwardly. So in my writing, the CH is heavily influenced by whoever is in charge.

However, this does not mean the people do not exist.

The country is influenced by the government, not identical to it.

The weight between government and people shifts depending on the country, the regime, and the time period.

2. Ratio System

I view CH through a sliding ratio between government influence and people influence.

Some examples:

North Korea: Government override is extremely high. It has always been structured as a dictatorship, and its ideological core aligns with centralized control. In this case, the regime heavily overrides the people aspect.

Russia or Britain (depending on era): The ratio might be closer to 60–50. Government influence is strong, but not absolute. There is still internal tension and contradiction.

Nordic countries or neutral states like Switzerland: Government is less dominating in shaping identity outwardly. The ratio shifts more evenly.

Some Balkan countries (Greece, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia): The government may not fully override, but harsh political opinions can bleed into society and reinforce public sentiment.

This ratio is not fixed. It changes over time.

Great Britain during its imperial era cannot be compared to modern Britain. WW2 USSR cannot be compared to present-day Russia.

The system is flexible and can bend at any time depending on who is in charge and how dominant the structure is.

3. Foundational Identity and Internal Conflict

Countries also have ideological blueprints.

For example:

North Korea was built as a dictatorship. In my interpretation, it genuinely believes what it is doing is right, because its structure and identity were built around that system.

In my storyline, America (with it's current president, yk), however, was not “supposed” to be authoritarian. Its foundational narrative centers around liberty and certain moral ideals. So when policies contradict that narrative or begin harming its own citizens, it creates internal strain.

That is why America ends up cracking in my writing.

Not because it blindly agrees with everything, but because there is still a remaining moral foundation. When actions directly contradict that foundation, it takes a toll.

The difference is alignment between current government and foundational identity.

If the government aligns with the ideological blueprint → less internal conflict. If the government contradicts it → identity strain and fracture.

Got an idea , and since I can't sleep I have drawn it! Most European countries come from either cabbage patches or from a stork carrying them , but if I find more silly ways linked to folklore I'll give the country that origin... So I can sneak Folklore into stuff !!

Mhuahahah !!!

happy Valentine's Day 💝

Bhutan 🇧🇹: The Cham dance is probably one of the most distinctive cultural treasures of Bhutanese culture. It is a traditional dance closely linked to the Buddhist religion, which is predominant in the Himalayan villages, including Bhutan, where the Vajrayāna variant prevails. The dance is characterised by its colourful costumes and masks of animals, deities and spirits, in which monks embody esoteric characters linked to their worldview.

In general, Cham dance is seen as a kind of instrument linked to tantric cosmology, in which physical elements are important for the transcendence of the soul, spiritual purity and the environment, as well as serving as a means of devotion and warding off evil spirits, becoming a distinctive symbol of a colourful and unique language.