Following the execution of several villagers from Donggwang-ri, the remaining people fled into the various hills and caves in the area. Some hid in small caves here and there, until some people found Keunneolgwae cave (큰넓궤). The cave is far more spacious than any other cave in the area. Once word went around about Keunneolgwae, more than 120 people took refuge there. The people stayed in Keunneolgwae for about 40-50 days.

Most only left Keunneolgwae when the suppression forces finally found the cave. As the suppression forces entered the cave, the younger people helped the elderly and young hide deeper in the cave. Then they gathered any blankets and cloth and put gochugaru (고추가루, dried pepper flakes) on top and lit the whole thing on fire. Then they used a winnow to fan the smoke towards the oncoming suppression forces. Because of the gochugaru the smoke was decidedly spicy and the suppression forces were forced backwards and out of the cave. In order to keep anyone from escaping the soldiers blocked off the entrance with rocks.

After the soldiers left, people who had been hiding in the nearby caves came down and removed the rocks blocking the entrance. Most of the people who had been hiding in Keunneolgwae decided to leave the cave since the suppression forces now knew of its existence and it was no longer safe there. However, some did not leave as they did not know where else they could go in the freezing winter.

Most of those who did leave ended up heading up Halla Mountain. Tragically, most would later be caught be the suppression forces and either were executed on Bolle oreum (볼레오름) near Youngsil (영실) or sent to Seogwipo where most would then be executed at Jeongbang waterfall (정방폭포).

References

Jeju 4.3 Archives - 큰넓괘 (readable here in Korean)

Jeju Dark Tours - Keunneulgwe (readable here in English)