The Controversial Oral Tradition Called “Waedeoksan” in Jindo, South Korea

Abstract In 2002, the director of the Jindo Cultural Center learned of Waedeoksan, a tomb site said to commemorate Japanese naval soldiers who died in the 1597 Battle of Myeongnyang. Oral tradition framed the burials as an act of virtue toward foreign dead and remained confined to Jindo for centuries. After the discovery of a genealogical reference, the story gained attention and was mobilized as a symbol of Korea–Japan reconciliation, prompting a visit from a Japanese prime minister. In 2022, however, a historian challenged its archaeological basis, sparking debate. This article traces competing narratives and shows how the tradition became sensitive.