KJCKorea
Journal Central

When considering the political meaning behind punishment of exile, it is easy to overlook the fact that it was a destruction of daily life accompanied by the expulsion from one’s place of residence and isolation from one’s family. The punitive nature of exile in forcibly dispersing family members was the main sourceof the physical and mental suffering amongpeople in exiles and their families Therefore, this study examined the mental state of those in exile by focusing on the circumstances of family separation, especially during bereavement, by referring to exile diaries such as Kim Yak-haeng’s 〈Jeoksoilgi〉 and Lee Se-bo’s 〈Sindoilrok〉. It is significant to note that when an exile received news about the death of his family he experienced self-blame and regret. This desperate pain of believing that his exile may have directly or indirectly contributed to the death of his family leads to self-blame, Further, being an exile who cannot properly participate in the funeral process creates an irreversible sadness. Thus, the punitive nature of exile is significant in the major event of death in the family. The cruel punishment, of exile not only leads one’s family to death while they wait in despair but also forxes exiles to remain as bystanders eternal separation from their family. them. This makes it possible to understand why exile was chosen as the second most severe punishment right after the death penalty.

exile diary, bereavement, 〈Jeoksoilgi〉, 〈Sindoilrok〉, self-blame, irreversible sadness