MASTER'S THESIS M-493
DARMSTADTER, Mary Virginia Lagarde. THE KOREAN MINORITY IN POST-WAR JAPAN: REPATRIATION OF KOREAN RESIDENTS IN JAPAN.
The American University, M.A., 1963 History, modem
University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE KOREAN MINORITY IN POST-WAR JA?AW î
REPATRIATION OP ZQREA3T HESIPENTS Df JAPAS~
by
Mary Virginia Darmstadter
Submitted to xx-e
Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences
of The American University
in Partial Fulfillment of
the Requirements for the Degree
of
Master of Arts
Signatures of Committee:
Cl
Da4 e : Date
1962
The American University Washington, D.C. UN:\^RC'vy
JUL 9 ?Or-c W %o.e. T /fs-/
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABIE OP CONTEîTS
C H A P T 3 S PAGfB
I. CHSATION OP TEB KTNORXH
Introduction ...... ]_
Annexation of Korea ...... 3
The Korean Minority in Japanese Society 5
The Sole of Korean Organizations . . . 10
II. SEPA.TRIATION UÎ-IDS?: TiiP OCCUPATION
Early Post-War Repatriation ..... 13
Difficulties in Repatriation ..... 15
New Problems for the Koreans Remaining
i n Ja p a n ...... 25
III. SOUTH KOREA'S REACTION TO REPATRIATION
Background to the South Korean Attitude 33
South Korea's Position Regarding
Repatriation ...... 42
IV. TESG-OTIATIONS WITH THE DEZCOCRATIC PEOPLE'S
REPUBLIC OP K O R E A
Pirst Steps towards Negotiations . . . 47
"Unofficial" Negotiations by the
R e d Cross ...... 50
Official Negotiations ...... 53
The Agreement ...... 58
South Korean Denunc iation ...... 60
The Motives for the Actions of the
Three Powers ...... 63
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. V. SHE 32SCÜTI0N GP TEE REPATRIATION
The Procedural Plan ...... 6'i
South Korean Efforts to Prevent
Repatriation ...... 7 3
Repatriation ...... 7 6
VI. E: the WAKE OF REPATRIATION
North Korean Reception ...... 78
ROK Protests Continue ...... SO
Extension of the Repatriation Program 82
Recent South Korean attitudes .... 8 6
VII. CONCLUSIONS ...... 90
VIII. SUPPLEI-ENT ...... 96
IK. BIBLIOGRAPHY
X. APPEIIDIXBS
I. a) Koreans in Japan by Prefecture
in November, 1945
b) Nationalities of Foreigners in
Japan in 1959
c) Foreign Population in Japan
i n 1961
II. a) Occupational Composition of the
Population in Korea in 1947
b) Educational Status of the
Population in Koea in 1944
III. Distribution of Korean Residents in
Japan by Occupation in 1948
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. IV. Volume of Korean Repatriation, 1945-1949
V. Calcutta Agreement
VI. American Occupation Policy towards the
Korean Minority
VII. a) letter from the Red Cross Society
o f J a p a n
b) letter from the Intemation.1. Red
Cross in Geneva
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER I
CREATIOH OP THE HIKORITT
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. raTRODUCTION
On December 14» 1959» 975 Korean men» women and
children boarded two Soviet ships at the port of Niigata,
Japan for the trip to Chungjin» a port in North Korea.^
By the middle of November» 1961, 93,360 Koreans bad 2 made this trip from Japan to North Korea. This monograph
will present an account of the Korean minority in Japan;
the circumstances of their entry into Japan; their position
in Japanese society; and the problems created in connection
with their departure.
The Korean minority in Japan was an outgrowth
of the Japanese subjugation of Korea. Prior to Japanese
domination, there was only a handful of Koreans living
in Japan. A 1904 registration of Korean nationals 3 disclosed only 227 in Japan. In 1910 Korea was
annexed by Japan and one result of this action was a
steady increase in the flow of Koreans to Japan. As
Japanese ambitions for further expansion began to mature
Japan encouraged Korean immigration to meet its increasing
need for laborers. By 1936, the year before the
commencement of largescale Japanese aggressions in
China, the figure given for the number of Korean people
^Japan Times. Tokyo, December 15» 1959; Asahi Shimbun. Tokyo, December 14» 1959.
This figure was obtained from Mr. Kuroiwa, an official of the Japanese Bmbassy, Washington, D.C., who quoted records of the Japanese Ministry of Justice.
^^Bdward ¥. Wagner, The Korean Minority in Japan. 1904-1950. (New Tork: Institute of Pacific Relations, 1951), p. 9» citing Japan Year Book, 1906, Tokyo, p. 21,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. in Japan was over 660,000, while at the end of World
War II, it was estimated that 2,500,000 Koreaias were
in the home islands of Japan. ^
Sueh a large number of foreigners in a country
undergoing the most radical changes in its history
presented a myriad of problems for both peoples. The
complexity of problems arising from the Korean nationals
now remaining in Japan continues to be of great concern.
Although immediately after the war, the majority of
Koreans decided to return to their homeland, well over
500,000 of their compatriots chose to remain in Japan 5 and are still there. Directly and indirectly, these
people have caused problems involving al 1 of the major
countries of the world.
Japan Report. (New Tork: Consulate General of Japan), Vol. V, No. 6, March 15, 1959, p.2, states that there were 800,000 Koreans in Japan in 1938 2,000,000 in 1945. Of the latter figure, only 96,000 had been brought to Japan under the National Personal Service Order. William J. Gane, Military Government in Korea. (Headquarters, U.S. Army, Porei^ Affairs Section, Seoul), p. 13, estimates the number of Koreans to be 2,400,000. Wagner, op. cit.. p. 96 agrees with the estimated number of 2,400,000.
^Japan Report. Vol. VII, No. 10, June 15, 1961, p. 10 states that, as of January, 1961, there were 580,421 Koreans registered in Japan.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ANNEXATION OF KOREA
Between the years 1894 and 1910, throu^i intrigue,
connivance, and because of their sxqserior military power,
Japan achieved the annexation of Korea as an integral
part of the Japanese Entire. ^ Many aspects of the
Japanese penetration of Korea and subsequent seizure
are not readily available and perhaps certain facts
remain undivulged. Records disclose, however, that
by July 6, 1909 the Japanese Cabinet had determined to
achieve the annexation of Korea, and from that date
forward hopefully planned a complete and largely peaceful 7 transference of power. The actual Treaty of Annexation 8 was signed on August 22, 1910.
Japan did develop Korea economically raise
the standard of living. Roads and railroads were built;
harbors were improved; electricity was introduced; the
agricultural system was in^roved; better sanitation was
Refer to the following for discussions of the Japanese annexation: Francis H. Conroy, The Japanese Seizcure of Korea. 1868—1910, (The University of Pennsylvania, 1960); Ch'ang-u Nam. Japanese Penetration of Korea. (Stanford University Press, The Hoover Institution, 1959); Harold M, Vinacke, A History of the Far Bast in Modem Times. (Appleton-Century—Crofts, Inc., New York, Fifth Edition, 1950), pp. 123-140, ISO, 183, pp. 352-354; Paul H. Clyde, The Far East. (Prentice-Hall, Inc., New York, Second Edition, 1952), pp. 251-254, 329-337, 355-356; Hugh Sort on, Japan* s M o d e m Century. (The Ronald Press Conç>any, New York, 1955), pp. 204-206, 244-249. 7 Borton, op. cit., pp. 247-248.
^Ibid.. p. 249.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. introduced; s mcdem banking system instituted; industry
was promoted; and trade was expanded. However, all
development and improvements were planned to serve
the primary interests of Japan rather than in consideration
of the needs of the Korean people. Koreans were not
allowed to participate in the governing of their country.
They were forced to sell much of their best land, private
and public, to the Japanese. Japanese policy was
calculated to achieve the loss of l Korean cultural
identity by suppressing the Korean language, literature
and institutions. Although free education was available
for Koreans it was Japanese—oriented and the average
Korean was neither encouraged nor inclined to take
advantage of it. Therefore, throughout the period when
Korea was an integral part of the Japanese Empire, the
people were ezplcâked economically and politically 9 subjugated. Since conditions at home were so dismal,
many Koreans responded to Japanese promises of jobs,
better living conditions, end increased privileges and
emigrated to Japan. Ultimately, as Japan became over
extended in her war efforts and her need for laborers
increased, this emigration became a forced one.^^
o Vinacke, A History of the Par East in Modem Times, pp. 355—354; Harold M. Vinacke, Par Eastern Politics in the Postwar Period. (Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., New Tork, 1959), p. 180; Robert T. Oliver, "Korean- Japanese Discord", Korean Survey. (Korean Pacific Press, Washington, D.C.), Vol. 6, No. 5, May 1957, p. 4.
^^Wagner, op. cit., pp. 26-27.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE KOREAN MINORITY IN JAPANESE SOCIETY
Prior to annexation, the majority of Koreans
who went to Japan were students, intellectuals or
well-to-do merchants and businessmen. During the decade
of the 1920 ' s a change occurred in the pattern of
migration as some 400,000 Korean agricultural workers
went to Japan in the hopes of economic betterment,^
Then, as now, the Koreans lived largely in the industrial
centers of Japan: the prefectures of Tokyo, Osaka, 12 Hyogo, Ai chi and Pukuoka. Sere the unskilled Koreans
found their greatest opportunities for employment.
Because they were in conqpetition for jobs with the
more skilled Japanese, however, the majority of the 13 Koreans labored at menial tasks for low pay.
The overwhelming majority of immigrants represented
the lower element of Korean society and statistically
this group showed a high percentage of illiteracy,
cr h
is not surprising that these people would have some
difficulty in adjusting and becoming productive members
in a foreign community. And because Japan had conquered
^~4bid. , p. 9.
^ I b i d . , p. 11. Also refer to Appendix I.
^^Ibid., PP . 15-16.
^^Ibid.. p. 12.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. the Koreans, the Koreans found themselves victims of
discriminatory practices and exploitation* These factors,
coupled with the fact that in certain instances the
Japanese and Koreans conpeted for jobs, caused a
deep-seated and continuing antagonism between the 15 two peoples.
Even thou^ Korea had been incorporated as an
integral part of the Japanese Enpire, Koreans were
not given Japanese citizenship but only Japanese
"nationality" This deprived the Koreans of the
full rights and privileges enjoyed by full citizens.
It gave the Japanese greater control over the Koreans
and opened up avenues for their further intimidation.
Despite the fact that the Koreans were deprived
of Japanese citizenship, in legal theory they were to
have almost complete equality. It was necessary for
Japan to pay lip service to this concept if she hoped
to lend any credulity to her plan of the "Greater 17 Bast Asia Co-Pro^erity Sphere". However, in
practice, application of the law was selective and
was used to subjugate the Koreans. The Korean in Japan
did enjoy slight legal advantages over his brother at
^^Ibid.. pp. 1 5 -1 7 . ^^Ibid.. p. 9.
17 For a discussion of Japan's economic plan for the "Greater East Asia Co-Frosperity Sphere", refer to Borton , op. cit.. pp. 361-364, 376-378.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. home, for, despite the fact that the codes in both
countries were basically similar, the Japanese
administrative ordinances in Korea were more restrictive.
legally, the one advantage for a Korean in Korea was
that he could be tried by a Korean judge.
Between 1939 and 1945, the demands of war caused
an increase in the need for laborers and to accomplish
this, the Japanese Government brou^t over large numbers
of Koreans under the People's Registration Ordinance.
This ordinance had been passed by the Japanese Cabinet
on July 8, 1939 and its net effect was to require
registration of all males between the ages of 15 and
50 within Japan and the older portions of the Empire 19 so that they could be classified for service. One
of the important points of the passage of this law
is that its enforcement marks the beginning of forced 20 migration of the Koreans to Japan.
With the onset of Japan's war in 1937, the Koreans
found themselves in a better bargaining position and
some wage increases were given along with somewhat 21 improved living conditions and fewer personal restrictions.
Wagner, on. cit., pp. 19-21.
Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 6, March 15, 1959, p. 2. The Japanese Government maintains that the order was not used to bring Korean laborers to Japan until August, 1944, that in all, only 96,000 Koreans were mobilized under this law. Also see Wagner, op. cit., P. 27 20 Wagner, o£. cit., p. 27. ^hRi±à.,, p. 25.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Tet, considering that the cost of living had soared
and living conditions for the Japanese had worsened,
these gains were of a largely illusory nature. Their
basic status of inferiority and inequality was little
affected.
Relations between the Korean and Japanese peoples
did not improve during the war. The Korean desire for
independence remained and the majority of Koreans aided 22 the Japanese war effort reluctantly. It would appear
that although there were no major incidents of resistance
there were individual cases of sabotage. Open rebellion
seems to have come mostly from the group of Korean students
then studying in Japan, However, even they were forced
to play a role in the war, some being drafted into the
Japanese military while others were forced to work as
ordinary laborers. It has been suggested that there
was some cooperation between the underground Japanese
communist faction and the Korean minority in joint 23 attempts to undermine the Japanese war effort.
They evidently accomplished little in actual sabotage
but their association served to solidify the relationship
between the Korean minority and the Communist element.
This association of the two groups continues today
and is one reason why the Japanese people regard the
^^Ibid.. pp. 31-34. ^^Ibid., pp. 32-34.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Koreans as agitators and troublemakers.
Despite the relative inefficiency of Korean
contract laborers, they nevertheless were important to
Japanese wartime production. Estimates vary, but one
source, in a survey taken shortly after the war's end,
showed that during the war approximately 500,000 had
worked in Japanese mines; 200,000 had been utilized in
manufacturing plants; 100,000 had been enqployed as
farm laborers; and another 360,000 had been utilized
as general laborers. There were also about 240,000
Koreans in the categories of businessman, merchant, 25 student and white collar worker. Women and children
comprised another million, in many instances the women
working alongside the men in the factories and even the
mines, and also being utilized in the textile mills.
S. Embassy, Daily Translations of Newspapers in Seoul, translation of the article, "On the Trend of the Japanese Communists", Tong A . February 2, 1950.
25 Gane, op. cit., p. 13, citing Japanese Government report, Korean Residents in Japan. 21 November, 1945.
^^Gane, op. cit.. p. 13; Vagner, op. cit.. p. 30; Republic of Korea, Korea and Japan. (Office of Public Information, Seoul, 1954), p. 14.
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THE HOLE OF KOREAN ORGANIZATIONS
Several aboarfcive attempts were made to organize
the Korean laborers in Japan in collaboration with the
left—wing of the Japanese labor movement, but these 27 were quickly suppressed by the Japanese Government*
In 1 9 2 1 Korean collaborators, under Japanese auspices,
did organize the Soaikai or Mutual Friendship Society,
for the purpose of fostering mutual feelings "of 28 brotherhood and mutual esteem among Koreans and Japanese*•
Membership for Koreans was virtually compulsive, however,
and the organization functioned primarily as a control 29 organ for the Japanese Government.
Iiater, in 1936, the Japanese Government went
even further by establishing the Kyowakai. which was
an official agency of the Japanese Government. The
goals of the Kyowakai were: l) to promote Korean-
Japanese harmony on a nationwide basis; 2 ) to integrate
closely all activities concerning Koreans; 3 ) to effect
speedy Japanization of Koreans.During the war, the
Kyowakai was particularly useful as a control organ,
touching every phase of the Korean's life in Japan.
Membership for Koreans was conroulsory.
27 28 Vagner, op. cit.. pp. 20-21. Ibid., p. 22.
^^Ibid.. p. 22. ^°Ibid.. pp. 22-23.
^^ i d . . pp. 37-38.
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Inïïnedxately after Japan's surrender, an independent
Korean organization came into existence with the stated
purpose of protecting the rights of Koreans residing
in Japan. The Iteague of Korean Residents in Japan
commanded the allegiance of practically i of the
Koreans. This organization participated in a variety
of activities affecting the lives of its members in
every sphere of interest and often interposed itself
between the Koreans and the Japanese Government, 32
Apparently, it drew its power from strongarm tactics 33 and its monies from illegal or extralegal sources.
The early political activities of the league revealed
a close association with the Communist wing of Japanese 34 political groups.
Dissension emanating ftom the league's political
rapport with the Communists led to a break within the
ranks and the formation of the Youth Organization for
the Reconstruction of Korea (YORK).^^ This grovcp
never attained the power or the wealth of the league
but it did represent the more right-wing elements of
the Koreans in Japan. There were other smaller and
far less important groups but the league and YORK
attained and held their early prominence, the league
^^Ibid.. p. 52, ^^Ibid.. pp. 52-53.
^Ibid.. p. 54. ^^Ibid.. pp. 55-56.
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actually taking part in the early post-war repatriation 36 program.
^^Gane, op. cit.. p, 5 5 ,
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REPATRIATION UNDER THE OCCUPATION
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BARIT POST-WAR REPATRIATION
With, the end of World War II end the deliverance
of their coxmtry, the majority of the Koreans began to
stream back to their homeland,^ At first, it was
expected that almost all of.them would repatriate,
but it was soon determined that many thousands preferred
to remain in Japan.
In the beginning, the Korean repatriation was
a more or less spontaneous movement with the individual
making his own arrangements for transportation to Korea.
The trek homeward had actually begun before the surrender
of Japan and one source estimates that from 300,000 2 to 500,000 Koreans had returned by August 15, 194-5.
After the occupation authorities had gained
control of the situation, they attempted to organize
an orderly repatriation of all foreign laborers remaining
in Japan. The early repatriation was handled by the
American forces of the tactical troops of the Sixth,
Seventh, and Fortieth Division, and the Displaced
Persons Divisions working in unison. Sy their joint
efforts 700,000 Japanese in Korea were returned home
and nearly 1,000,000 Koreans had been transported to
their homeland between September 25, 1945 and
^efer to Appendix T.
Vagner, op. cit., p. 43.
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December 31» 1945.^
The early repatriation was somewhat chaotic
because the occupa-tion authorities had many difficulties
in becoming effectively organized. The first tentative
plan was proposed by the Bureau of Planning of the
U.S. Military Goveznment in Korea. The ma-i-n office
was to be at Seoul and the operational name was to be
"The Relief Organization for Refugees and laborers".
Housing, food and arrangements for transportation were
to be the responsibility of the control point offices.
This plan was stillborn, however, and on September 23,
1945, the problem was given over to the Foreign Affairs
Section of the Military Government in Korea which set-up
the following plan to execute the Korean repatriation : ^
. S. Army Military Government in Korea, South Korean Interim Government Activities. April, 1948, p. 5«
^Gane, op. cit.. p. 17.
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AGENCY BSSPONSIBILITY
Local Military Government Execute local refugee movements U n i t s in their assigned area.
Transportation Bureau of Military Government Routing and supplying trains.
Local Korean Governmental Expedite the movement and A g e n c i e s supply protection.
Local Korean and Japanese Aid Military Government team Organizations to prepare movement.
Health, and Welfare Section Supply necessary medical of Military Government supplies.
Navy Port Control Notifying displaced persons of the time of arrival of vessels.
Navy Patrol Ships Prohibit illegal shipping.
Ports, Military and Civil Prepetre and process refugees A u t h o r i t y for movement.
DIPPICULTIES IN REPATRIATION
Dei^ite all efforts, the foregoing plan was not
executed as expected and there was considerable confusion.
It became necessary to change plans and responsibility
was shifted. Because the Eeeilth and Welfare Sections
of the Military Government were not opeiating by the
time the actual repatriation had started, the Foreign
Affairs Section of the Displaced Persons Office had to
assume the responsibility for the housing, food and
medical care of the Korean refugees. It had been ex
pected that Army personnel would help with the manual
labor involved in caring for these groups but as there
was a shortgage of Army personnel, the Displaced
Persons Office was forced to request assistance from
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the League of Korean Residents in Japan. ^ Unfortunately,
it appears that the League took this opportunity to
strengthen its position at the expense of individual
Koreans whose rights and interests it purportedly
represented. The League found that, through its role
in the repatriation program, opportunities were presented
to gain monies, by extra-legal or illegal methods,
which ultimately went to finance their political
activities. ^ Mention has already been made of the
apparent connection of the League «nd the Japanese
Communists.
Ostensibly the Military Government was to set
the League's policies, direct the distribution of its
supplies, and”investigate the sources and the usage of
its solicited funds. The various chapters of the League
were to be licensed by each city and to be operated
under municipal supervision within the overall supervision 7 of the Military Government. Despite these checks on
its operation, the League was able to acquire large sums
that had been intended for the individual Korean. For
example; before Supreme Commander Allied Powers (SCAP)
assumed control of the repatriation program, the Korean
had been required to pay his own rail fare from his
home to the Port of Smbarkation. Subsequently, SCAP
^Gane, o p . cit., p. 55.
^Wagner, op. cit., pp. 52-53. 7 Gane, op. cit.. p. 55.
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ordered the Japanese Government to provide free rail O transportation for the Koreans. Thereupon, the League
demanded reimbursement for the fares paid prior to SCAP ' s
order. The Japanese Government reimbursed the League
which kept the funds, making, for all pinrposes, no effort
to reimburse the individual Korean. Other examples of
the tactics of the League are; the manner in which it
confiscated back wages due the individual Korean; bank
accounts left in Japan; securities that the Korean could
not take to Korea; and other compensations and benefits
to which he was entitled but left in Japan because of
cei"tain restrictions that had limited what the Korean 9 could initially bring back to Korea. The League
filed claim in the name of the individual Korean for
these monies but apparently kept the monies to fill its
own coffers.
Because of the problems encountered in executing
the; plan, the repatriation remained largely an individual
effort for a while longer. Koreans accomplished their
return by using private transport of all types from
small, fishing vessels to the larger ships that regularly
operated on the Japan-Korea run. The continuance of
this unorganized repatriation created problems of a
Q Supreme Commander for Allied Powers Orders to the Japanese Government, ( SC AFIN ) . No. 410, "Supplies, Transportation and Facilities for Repatriates", December 9, 1945; SCAPIN No. 685, "Railway Fares Charged to Koreans", January 31, 1946. 9 Wagner, op. cit., pp. 52-53.
^®Gane, op. cit., p. 55; Wagner, op. cit., p. 53.
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serious nature. First, the unsupervised but large-
scale movements caused a health menace. Secondly,
it encouraged a black market in Japanese currency
because the Korean banks were not allowed by the Military
Government to accept or exchange Japanese currency. And
finally, the vessels used by the Koreans were urgently
needed to carry other repatriates from other areas and 11 cargo.
These factors led the American Occupation forces
to take measures to stop Hie independent repatriation.
On November 1, 1945, SCAP issued a directive concerning
the "Repatriation of Non-Japanese from Japan*. This
order gave the re^onsibility to the Japanese Ministry
of Welfare to offer all Koreans, Formosans, «--nd Eyukyuans
the opportunity to return to their homes at the es^ense
of the Japanese Government. Specific instructions were
given for the execution of the repatriation, including
a restrictive provision allowing each Korean to take
with him only 1,000 yen and the property he could carry 12 on his back.
Many Koreans had been discouraged from returning
home because of the dismal reports emanating from Korea:
jobs were not readily available and living conditions
were difficult being complicated by floods, epidemics.
^SCAPIN No, 254, November 8, 1945; Wagner, op. cit.. p. 44.
^SCAPIN No. 142, October 15, 1945; SCAPIN No. 224, November 1, 1945; SCAPIN No. 293, Section F, November 17, 1945.
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1 3 azid rice z-iots* 33bie restrictions placed ty SCAP’s
order further dampened the enthusiasm of nany Koreans
for returning home. Therefore, many thousands of Koreans
decided to remain in Japan, fearing conditions would be
worse for them at home.
In an effort to persuade additional Koreans to
leave Japan, on July 13, 1946, SCAP authorized an
increase in the amount of property that could be brought
back to Korea. The returnee was a].lowed to ship an
additional 250 pounds of personal property and further,
4,000 pounds of li^t machinery and handici-aft tools
owned free and clear as of September 2, 1945*^^
Despite this relaxation of restrictions, it was
evident that many Koreans remained uninterested in
repatriation. Therefore, to clarify the situation
and in hopes of ending their responsibility for repatriation,
SOAP offered the privilege of repatriation "with finality"
to all of those entitled to it. The Japanese Government
was ordered to register all Koreans, Chinese, Syukyuans
and Formosans for the purpose of determining if they
wanted repatriation. Those who failed to register were
considered to have forfeited their right as did those
who registered but advised they did not want to be 15 repatriated. ^ Approximately 137,000 registered that
Korea^ Quarterly. (The International Research Center, Seoul,) "Korean-Japanese Relations", Jin Won Dee, Autumn, 1959, Vol. I, Ho. 1, p. 6 5 .
^^SCAPIH Ho. 822/1, March 27, 1946; SCAPIH Ho. 927/5, July 1 3 , 1 9 4 6 .
^^SCAPIH Ho. 746, February 17, 1946; SCAPIH Ho. 872, April 9, 1946.
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they did not desire to leave Japan, hut 505,806 requested
repatriation to South Korea and 9,701 requested
repatriation to North Korea.^^
SOAP then directed that all of those who had
registered for repatriation be cleared from Japan by
August 30, 194-6• Those who refused to leave on the
scheduled date would be considered to have forfeited 17 their ri^ts to repatriation.
Apparently the Occupation authorities were
concerned that such a large number of Koreans had
chosen to remain in Japan since some of the Occupation
forces considered the Koreans a disturbing factor.
At one point, they recommended that all of those Koreans
who had registered in March, 1946 requesting repatriation
be forced to carry through with it and return to Korea.
However, the United States Government rejected this
recommendation because it had been pledged to carry out
only voluntary repatriation. 19
In May, 1946, SCAP then presented the policy that
"Koreans who refuse to return to their homeland under
the SCAP repatriation program will be considered as 20 retaining their Japanese nationality ..." This
^^SCAP, Summation of Activities, No. 11, August, 1946, p. 255.
SCAPIH No. 872, April 9, 1946. 18 19 Vagner, op. cit., p. 58. Ibid. 20 Par Eastern Survey, "The Korean Minority in Japan", David Conde, Vol. XVI, No. 4, February 26, 1947, p. 45.
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policy received the approval of the Far Bastem Commission, 2 1
Therefore, officially, those Koreans remaining in Japan
were to he handled at the discretion of the Japanese
Government within the overall supervision of the Occupation
forces. Eventually, when Japan had regained her
sovereignty, she would then be responsible for finding
a solution for the problem arising from the presence
of the Korean minority in her country.
The Korean reaction to SCAP's announcement
pertaining to Japanese nationality for the remaining
Koreans was very adverse. The Korean protests were so
vigorous that SCAP was forced to issue a statement
to the effect that:
Recent misconceptions in some sections of the press . . . to the effect that this Headquarters recently issued an order that Korean nationals remaining in Jepan sifter December 15, 1946 must obtain Japanese citizenship sure entirely incorrect. . . . The Japanese authorities have been issued strict instructions to insure that Koresns sire not discriminated against in any way and the Occupation authorities are at constant pains^^o see that these instructions are carried out.
The Korean was caught on the horns of a dilemma.
On the one hand, it was true that many problems existed
for the Korean upon his return home. And on the other
hand, the Korean in Japan was subject to discrimination.
Xt must be remembered that slthou^ Japan hsui
developed Korea, it had done so as a part of Japan's
^ ^ s g n e r , op. cit., p. 58.
^ ^ a r Eastern Survey. Conde, o p . c i t . . p . 45.
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economy, not ae a self-sustaining unit. Separation
from Japan had resulted in complete collapse of the
Korean economy — a situation which was improved by
economic assistance from the United States but recovery
required time. Matters had been further complicated
by the division of Korea which cut off the egricultural
south from the industrial north. During the early
post-war years, starvation had been prevented only by
drastic steps taken by the Military Government to bring 23 in food. 2nq)loyment opportunities for the returnees
were few. In fact, it was easier for the Korean to find
a job in Japan, despite the discrimination against him.^^
In addition to employment discrimination, the
Japanese appear to have conducted a propaganda program
emphasizing the black—market activities and criminality 25 of the Koreans remaining in Japan. Yet, when the
Korean decided to repatriate, he faced more abuse
because the Japanese often violated the spirit if not
the letter of the repatriation program, confiscating
Korean property that ri^tfully could be taken to Korea
and many times overlooking certain rights to which the
^^insicke, A History of the Far Bast in Modem Times. Fifth Edition, pp. 754-755.
^^ a r Bastem Survey. Conde, op. cit.. pp. 41-43.
^^Ibid.; Vagner, op. cit., p. 60.
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2 6 Korean was entitled. To illustrate their d.ilemma, it
should be noted that, hoping to escape their harsh
living conditions in Japan, many Koreans rushed home
only to quickly and illegally return to Japan because 27 they had found conditions even worse at home.
In December, 1946, the official repatriation 28 program was considered to be completed. After this
date, however, an additional 15,000 Koreans were
repatriated at Japanese expense under practically the
same conditions as those sent home before the December
deadline. Both SCAP and the Japanese Government were
willing to cooperate in their belated return. This 29 "unofficial" repatriation was ended August 15, 1948.
The exact number of Koreans who repatriated by
the official and the "unofficial" programs is difficult
to ascertain. A Japanese Government source estimates
that approximately 1,400,000 Koreans left Japan between
August, 1945 and March, 1946 under the official program
and by privately arranged means. A report by the
South Korean Interim Government (SKIG) showed 1,111,971
Koreans as having arrived in Korea between October, 1945
and April, 1948.'^^ Presumably the discrepancy between the
SCAPIN No. 61, "looting by Chinese Laborers", September 26, 1945» SCAPIN No. 1111—A, "Misconducts Committed by Koreans", April 29, 1946; Wagner, op. cit., pp. 59-60. 27 Far Eastern Stxrvey. op. cit. « Conde, pp. 41-43; Wagner, o£. cit.. p. 49.
^^SCAPIN No. 927/7 , September 10, 1946, 29 Wagner, og,. cit. , pp. 47-48.
Japan Report. Vol. V, No, 6, March 15. 1959, p. 3, 3T___ SKIG Activities Report, April, 1948, p. 5, Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 4
two figures not only results from a difference in the
time period but arises from the fact that many of the
Koreans had arranged for individual travel home. It
was extremely difficult to tabulate these unorganized
movements. According to a third source, all repatriation
between l'îarch, 1945 and December, 1949 totalled around
1,818,000 including that which was controlled and that 32 which was not.
To complete the repatriation program of the
Koreans during the period of the Occupation, mention
must also be made of the 351 Koreans who requested
to repatriate to North Korea. Since North Korea was
then under Soviet Occupation, as South Korea was occupied
by American forces, it wis necessary for the U.S. end
the U.S. S.R. to reach agreement on this matter. Accord
was reached on December 19, 1946, and the 351 Koreans
had returned to North Korea by summer of 1947 under
much the same terms and circumstances as the repatriation 33 to South Korea.
^^agner, op. cit., p. 96. Kr. Wagner's Table of Volume of Korean Repatriation, 1945-1949 is reproduced as Appendix V.
^^SCAP, Summation. Vol. 15, December, 1946, p. 224; SCAPIN No. 829, March 19, 1946.
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NEW PR0BLEI48 FOR THE KOREANS REMAINING IN JAPAN
The Koreans who made the decision to remain
in Japan continued in many ways to stand apart from
the Japanese people, both by their own wish and by Japanese
practices. In 1947, the Japanese Government promulgated
the Capital Levy Tax for the purpose of leveling off
individual wealth. The tax was applicable to a~l l
Japanese, Koreans and Formosans who owned assets valued
in excess of 100,000 yen as of March 5, 1946. Allied
and United Nations nationals were not subject to the
tax and Koreans demanded that they be entitled to this
special exception. The Koreans claimed that, not only
was the tax unfair to the small number of them who would
be forced to pay it, but that because it was applicable
to them almost solely among the foreign nationals in Japan,
it was an insult to their national pride and prestige.
Mass meetings were held and a minor riot did erupt over
the matter, resulting in the arrest of some Koreans, 34 their trial and subsequent deportation to South Korea."
A second law was soon passed which also caused
Korean resentment. At the suggestion of SCAP, the
Japanese Diet passed the Registration Law of 1947 which
required the registration of all aliens in Japan for 35 administrative and control purposes. The law was
^^Wagner, op. cit., pp. 64-66.
^^Ibid., p. 66.
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not directly discriminatory in that it required the
registration of all aliens except members of the
Occupation forces. However, the law was reminiscent
of the pre-war days when Koreans had been required to
register and to carry identification cards bearing
photography and fingerprints. Furthermore, such a
registration would bring to l i ^ t the large number of
Koreans who had returned to Japan illegally, and it
would put an end to those Koreans who were enjoying
extra rations by using the cards of family and friends
who had returned to Korea.
Koreans also objected to the Registration Law
because they were required to register as stliens despite
the fact that they were considered Japanese nationals
and were subject to the Capital levy Tax. The Korean
organizations told their members not to obey the law,
and by the time the registration deadline had passed 37 on July 31, 1947, almost no Koreans had complied with it.
The deadline was extended but the result was only a slight
increase in the number of Koreans who registered, and
on August 22, 1947, SCAP issued a statement enrohasizing
that the registration was for the protection of alien *5S rights. The slow process of pressuring and persuading
the Koreans to comply with the law wais not successful
^^Far Betstem Survey. Conde, op. cit.. p. 43; Wagner, o p . c i t ., p. 66.
^ I b i d .. p. 67. ^Ibid.
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■until the end of October, 1947»^^
A third problem concerned the autonomous educa
tional program which had been established by the Korean
community after Japan's surrender. There were valid
reasons for the establishment of the separate school.
The Koreans mistrusted Japanese schools and Japanese
educators for fear that they would revert to their
pre-surrender program of indoctrination. At that time,
Japanese schools were inadequate, suffering from over
crowding and lack of facilities since many school
buildings had been destroyed. And, since most of the
Koreans hoped ultimately to return home, it was under
standable that they felt it necessary for their children
to receive instruction in the Korean language. By
October, 1947, they had established 541 primary schools,
7 middle and 22 youth schools and 8 higher—level institutes,
with nearly 62,000 students and 1,500 teachers.
In the beginning, the Japanese had little objection
to the private Korean schools, even aiding them by
allowing them the part-time use of Japanese facilities.
SCAP was too occupied with its reform of the Japanese
educational system to give much attention to the Korean
educational projects. Yet, it was the intention of
SCAP to eventually bring the Korean schools under
39 Ibid.; Far Eastern Survey. Conde, on. cit.. pp. 43-44.
^^Vagner, op. cit., p. 68, citing Korean league, An Appeal. June 15, 1948
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Japanese law and on January 24, 1948, SCAP took the
step of placing the Korean schools under the Japanese
Ministry of Education and making Japanese educational 41 regulations applicable to Korean schools. Korean
children were required to attend public or private
schools that met legaûL standards and their teachers
were to be subjected to screening under Government 42 ordinance. This was a great blow to the Koreans whose
basic objective was the preparation of their children
for their role as Korean citizens. Strenuous protests
were made by the League in the form of mass meetings,
and the bulk mailing of letters to SCAP officials.
The first enforcement of the law resulted in violence
which erupted in Kobe where the Korean League was
especially strong. SCAP’s attitude was conciliatory
and it granted delays in closing some of the Korean
schools. After numerous League demonstrations in
other cities, the League reluctantly capitulated and
most of the schools did comply with the order to obtain
proper accreditation on SCAP’s terms.
These conflicts made evident that time alone
would not solve the "unassimilated minority" problem
but rather it appeared that prejudice against the
Koreans in Japan was increasing. Koreans were blamed
^^SCAP, SraTtnnation, Report No. 31, April, 1948, p. 303.
^^agner, op. cit.. p. 69. ^^Ibid.. p. 72.
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for Japan’s black market; the increase in crime; accused
of being the ceurriers of disease; of paying no taxes;
of having secured a financial stranglehold on Japan;
and of "being brave today after having cowered in fright
during the war."^ On July 13, 1947, a Japanese newspaper,
the Mainichi. stated that the Korean postwar way of
living unnecessarily irritated the feelings of the
Japanese, and accused the Koreans of entering the black
market, causing disturbances, and being responsible
for inflation because of their "over-eagemess to
protect their own livelihood"
In the Diet, on August 17, 1947» a member of the
Progressive Party, Saburo Shiikuma, stated:
Koreans form the nucleus of «1l black— market operations and their lawless actions influence all commercial transactions and social life in Japan today. They flaunt their transactions in contraband in the face of the police and pay no taxes whatever. It is rumored that one—third of the new yen in circulation is now in their hands. If this rumor is true, the helpless Japanese merchants will be no match for «11 the Koreans and Formosans. In fact, it is said that in Osaka and Kobe a11 open-air shops and eating houses have passed into Korean and Formosan hands.
The Koreans answered through the League that
they and their families had been forced to come to Japan
^^Far Eastern Survey. Conde, op, cit., p. 41.
^^Ibid. ^^Ibid.. p. 43.
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to work
at the hardest labor, in the coal mines at low wages from which compulsory 'donations* and •savings' were deducted, watched by armed guards and sheltered in flimsy houses under unsanitary conditions. sheltered The Koreans mad^w-a.u^zLr ^chat nearly everyone had to
buy or sell in the black market in oid.er to live and
that the other allegations were an attempt to incite
the Japanese to "drive the Koreans from their meager
holdings in commerce and force them back into their
former status as underdogs"•
It apparently was true that the Koreans did
engage in black—market activity end other violations 49 of Japanese law. However, the motivation for this
disregard for the law can be attributed to a lack of
normal employment opportunities, the result being great
economic hardship. Also, the Japanese did seem to
dramatize out of proportion any incident of Korean 50 lawlessness. These disciminatozry tactics further
accentuated the sense of insecurity the Korean minority
felt in Japanese society.
"^"^Ibid. ^^Ibid. 49 Ibid. Mr. Conde cites the illegal pi-actice of many Koreans who bought rice from Japanese farmers to sell in the cities at black market prices. However, it should be added that many Japanese indulged in this violation also as food was quite scarce during this period. Specific incidents involving violations of Japanese law by Koreans are contained in records of the 441st C.I.C. which was stationed in Tokyo during the Occupation. These records are presently stored in Japan or Hawaii.
^^Wagner, op. cit., p. 62.
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More recent statistics show that the Korean
percentage of criminal acts continued to be proportion
ately high. In 1957» 22,400 Koreans were arrested for
various crimes - a ratio of 37.5 per 1,000 Koreans and 51 a rate six times the corresponding rate for Japanese*
At the end of 1957, 78,000 Koreans were receiving relief
under the Livelihood Protection Law — a rate seven times 52 that of the Japanese population. In 1959, a Korean
publication stated that 75 per cent of the Koreans were
jobless*
Despite these difficult living conditions, the
Koreans who had rejected repatriation evidently intended
to remain in Japan unless conditions in Korea were
greatly improved . Many had lost their identification
with their native country, having lived in Japan for
so many years. According to a Japanese source, by 1959
only 245 of the Koreans then in Japan had originally 54 come there as conscript laborers. The other hundreds
of thousands had been born there or had come there
voluntarily. Yet, although these large numbers want to
Japan Quaarterly. (Tokyo: Asahi Shimbun-sha), "Koreans in Japan", P.M. Fujiyama, Vol. VI, No. 2, April-June, 1959, p. 139. ^^Ibid.
^^The Voice of Korea. (Korean Affairs Institute, Washington, D.C. ), Vol. K7T, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 2* This figure seems h i ^ and the accuracy of it might be questioned. Mr. Hogan Yoon, of the Korean Embassy, Washington, D.C. states that he does not consider it out of line, however, and bases his statement on research done by b-tTn on this subject fbr articles printed in the New York Times during 1955 and 1956.
^^The Voice Of Korea, op. cit., p. 2., quoting a statement made by the Japanese Foreign Office on July 12, 1959.
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live in Japan, they desire to live there in a semi-
autonomous position - enjoying the benefits of Japanese
citizenship but not subject to the responsibilities.
As an "unassimiliated minority" there appears to be
little hope for any immediate improvement of the generally
harsh conditions under which the Korean lives in Japan,
nor does it seem probable that there will be any lessening
of the feelings of mutual animosity between the two
peoples.
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SOUTH KOREA'S REACTION TO REPATRIATION
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BACKGROUND TO THE SOUTH KOREAIf ATTITUDE
At Yalta, President Roosevelt and Generalissimo Stalin bad agreed informal! y that Korea should win its independence and that if a transition period were necessary a trusteeship should be established. For forty years Korea been exploited by Japan, The Japanese had permitted few Koreans to secure an education and had made it difficult for them to obtain important positions in trade and industry thax woTild have given them administrative experience. As a result, there was some question whether the people were sufficiently, trained to assume the responsibilities of the government immediately.
This associated the USSR indirectly with the commitment to ultimate independence of the Cairo Declaration. It ^ s o revealed, although not publicly, the unwillingness of the American 1 Government to commit itself to immediate independence.
The above account by Secretary of State James F.
Byrnes reveals the pessimism with which the United States
viewed the chances of success for an immediate self-
government for Korea. And so, plans were made for
supervision of the Korean Government for a limited period
during which Koreans would receive training end develop 2 some experience in government. The decision to divide
Korea into two zones was a military decision made to
expedite the surrender of Japanese soldiers without
consideration for the political implications.^ However,
^James F. Byrnes, peaking Frankly, (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1947J, p. 221
^Vinacke, A History of the Far Bast in Modem flimes. Fifth Edition, p. 748.
^Ibid.. p. 749.
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the result was to effectively divide the country into
two definite political entities — the North allied to
the sphere of Communism and the South to the Western
powers. Aside from a war, it is difficult to envision
unification for Korea.
When it became apparent to the United States
that the Soviet Union would not cooperate in the
unification and independence of Korea under its own
government, the United States took the matter to the
United Nations which ordered free elections to be held
in Korea wherever the^' could be supervised by a represen
tative of the U.N.^ The U.N. observers were refused
entry into the northern section, but they did supervise
the election held in South Korea. The people voted
for an Assembly which in turn elected Dr. Syngman Hhee
as the first president. Independence for the Republic
of Korea (ROK) was proclaimed on August 12, 1948.^
Dr. Ehee is a person who exerted great influence
in Korean affairs even while it was under Japanese
domination. He has devoted his life to championing
the cause of Korea's independence from Japan. He played
a large role in the passive revolt against Japanese rule
in March, 1919, known to the Koreans as the "Mansei
^Ibid., pp. 752-754.
^Ibid.
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Revolution".^ Dr. Ehee later headed the Korean
Provisional Government in Exile, which, although not
recognized by any governments, did serve to keep alive
Korean cries for independence. In 1942, Dr. Ehee let
it be known what he would require of Japan in the
event of her defeat: l)banishment of all Japanese
from Korea; 2)return of a!1 Koreans from Japan; 3)
recovery of all Korean books, records and works of
art taken to Japan; 4) rigid restriction of Japanese
fisheries, navigation (sea and aerial), and commerce;
5 ) return of Tsushima Island; and 6) an indemnity
from Japan covering her "pillaging of Korean resources
during her occupation", as well as damages from military 7 action in Korea.
Therefore, after the war, it is not surprising
that Dr. Ehee had personal enmity for Japan since
"for thirty-five years Syngman Ehee had made a
profession, almost a religion of being anti—Japanese"
Korea was not invited to participate in the 9 signing of the Peace Treaty with Japan in 1951.
^Clyde, op. cit.. footnote p. 814; Vinacke, A History of the Far Bast in Modem Times, p. 354.
"^Robert T. Oliver, Syngman Rhee, (Dodd Mead and Co., New York, 1954), p. 187.
^The Nation, (Nation Associates, Inc., New York), 0. Edmund Clubb, "Ehee's War on Japan", November 5, 1955, p. 3 7 6 . Q Baron E. J. Itewe Van Aduard, Japan Prom Surrender to Peace, (Frederick A. Praeger, New York, 1954), pp. 197- 199.
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However, it was apparent that efforts had to he made
to regularize relations between the two countries. As
a result, bilateral negotiations were begun in Tokyo
on October 20, 1951. The matters discussed were:
1. The regularization of relations by conclusion
of a basic treaty. Korea proposed that normal relations
be restored only after all of the pending issues had
been settled, whereas Japan wanted to resume basic
diplomatic relations first and then proceed to specific
problems.
2. The status of the Korean minority in Japan,
their nationality and future treatment.
3. The question of ownership of the Japanese
vessels that were in Korea at the time of Japan’s
surrender. SCAP had issued orders that 1 vessels
that were in Korean waters on August 9, 1945 and vessels
which had been registered in Korea prior to that date
were Korean property. Japan tried to reach a settlement
by giving to Korea fifteen merchant ships totaling
5,610 tons, nine fishing vessels totaling 336 tons
and 5 lend-lease vessels. Korea rejected this proposal.
4. The problem of fishing rights. Under the
terms of the San Francisco Peace Treaty (Articles 9 and
21) Japan was obligated to negotiate a fishing treaty
with Korea.
5. Settlement of the matter of Korean credit
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accounts and property claims in Japan. Korea was
demanding the return of all property that Japan bod
removed from their country, such as art objects, rare
books, gold and silver. Further the Koreans demanded
that payment for Korean labor recruits be settled and
that Japanese securities owned by Koreans be honored.
Little concrete progress was made at this First
Conference and although subsequent Conferences have
been held, both informal and formal, there has been so
little agreement between the two countries that the above
issues, by and large, continue to remain unsolved.^
Korean Survey, Vol. VI, No. 5, May, 1957, pp. 4-5; Korea and Japan, COffice of Public Information, Republic of Korea, 1954), p. 14; Janan Report, "Current Issues in Japan-ROK Relations", Vol. V, No. 6, March 15, 1959, pp. 2-5Î Koreana Quarterly, "Korean-Japanese Relations", Vol. I, No. 1, Autumn, 1959, pp. 64-85; Korea — Its Land, People and Culture of All Ages, (Seoul: Ha3cwon-sa, Ltd., 1960), pp. 168-173.
^ T h e r e was one additional matter which was not listed as a major problem on the agenda. This was the sovereignty over the Tskeshima Islands(Tokto Islands) which were claimed by Korea. Japan had announced her sovereignty over these islands in 1905 during the Russo- Japanese War. The Korean Government maintained that the Cairo Declaration intended to bring Japan back to its 1894 status, which would deprive them of the islands. Of the formal conferences, the First Conference ended on April 15, 1952; a Second Conference opened on April 15, 1953 but was recessed indefinitely on July 23, 1953; the Third Conference lasted only from October 6, 1953 to October 21, 1953; a Fourth Conference began on April 8, 1958 but was suspended during February, 1959 when it became apparent that Japan was seriously considering a repatriation agreement with North Korea. Talks were resTuned in August, 1959 and the Fourth Conference is considered still to be in session but it has been character ized by long periods of recess and few concrete accomplish ments.
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Although without question, Koreans had reason
to want vengeance on Japan and to he distrustful of the
J apanese, it may he argued that Korea ' s intransigent 12 attitude was unreasonable. An important element in
Korea's unwillingness to compromise in its demands upon
Japan undoubtedly was and is caused by their fear that
Japan, with its superior technology, industrial capacity,
national discipline and past history might again attempt
to dominate Korea. There have been many actual statements
to this effect. As an official of the Korean Government
succintly described the Korean viewpoint:
Since the end of the occupation of Japan there has been a remarkable resurgence of the old pre-war Japanese nationalistic ^irit. Many of the democratic reforms imposed by the allied powers upon defeated Japan have been discarded; old military and political leaders are gradually resuming their places in the Japanese Government and the once outlawed notorious Zaibatsu mono polistic economic firms are ti^tening their control over Japanese finance, business and industry. Extreme rightist political groups are gaining power and there have been more than a few hints (some more than hints) that some political and economic groups in Japan may secretly be considering evenvual aggression in an attempt to_ reduce Korea again to a Japanese colony.
There is no concrete evidence to support this Korean
1 o The Nation, Clubb, op. cit., p. 376; The Economist, (London: The Economist Newspaper, Ltd.;, Vol. 180, August 11, 1 9 5 6 , p. 4 6 6 .
^^Korea and Japan, (Office of Public Information, Republic of Korea, 1954), p. 7.
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accusation, that Japan was or is again contemplating
to subjugate Korea and, considering the political tenor
in Japan and the world today, it is highly unlikely
that Japan would be able to achieve this even if some
few did contemplate such an endeavor.
In addition to the Korean fear of a new Japanese
penetration, the South Koreans were dismayed by the
difference in the attitude taken by Japan towards the
Communists. The South Korean policy was and is to oppose
Communism with every means in their power. The
Communist Party is outlawed in Korea.Whereas the
Japanese Communist Party is allowed to organize and
participate in general elections.Despite Japan's
ties to the West, since regaining her sovereignty,
she has negotiated with the Communist Powers in an
effort to regularize her relations with this bloc
and to develop with them the trade which is so vital
to her economy. As Japanese Prime Minister Satoyama
stated before the Diet on April 25» 1955:
. . . it is an undeniable fact that, however strongly opposed we may be to the Communist ideology, there now exists in the world certain powers which are adherents of communism. In dealing with such powers it would be etdvisable to respect each other's sovereignty and thereby to open normal diplomatic or economic relations to mutual advantage without propagandizing or
^^orean Survey. "Korean-Japanese Discord", Robert T. Oliver, Vol. 6, No. 5» May, 1957, p. 12.
■^^The number of Communists in the Diet for various years are as follows: 1949 - 35; 1952 - 0; 1953 - 1; 1955 - 2; 1958 - 1; I960 - 3.
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-trying to impose one's ideology on the other. I am firmly convinced that this very course should he adopted also as a means of forestalling another world war, the possibility of which is now f j lj.^ng all the people of the world with terror.
A third and most important deterrent to the
establishment of cordial relations between Japan and
the SOK was Dr. Hhee ' s presidential proclamation of the
"Peace Line", or as it is better known, the "Ehee Line".
On January 18, 1952, by unilateral action, the HOK
Government issued the presidential proclamation which
demarcated a wide zone in the high seas between Korea
and Japan, which extended to a maximum distance of 190
miles from the Korean coast, and stated that Korean
sovereignty extended over this zone and all resources
lying beneath the ocean floor. All fishing vessels of
other countries were banned from the area. 17 This area
included very rich fishing grounds where large numbers
of Japanese had customarily fished. Since fish account
for 90 per cent of the protein in the Japanese diet,
it consti-fcuted a serious problem for them to be denied
access to these fishing grounds. Japanese fishermen
ignored the restrictions of the "Hhee line" and,
beginning in the summer of 1952, Korea responded by
^^Par Santem Survey. "Japan Between Two Worlds", Harold S. Quigley, Vol. XXV, No. 11, November, 1956, p. 169. 17 Koreana Quarterly. Lee, op. cit.. pp. 69-75; Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 6, March 15, 1959, pp. 3—5*
^ J a p a n Renort. Vol. V, No. 6, March 15, 1959, p. 4.
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arresting and imprisoning any Japanese fishermen that 19 it could capture within the area. Up until 1954,
these fishermen were released and returned to Japan
after they had completed their sentences, but from 1954
and on the Koreans often kept them in continued detention 20 at a camp in Pusan.
Under existing international law, a three-mile
limit is recognized as the extent of the territorial
waters over which a country's sovereignty may prevail.
Because of protests of the ROK Government * s action -
not only from Japan but from several countries, including
the United States — the South Korean Government revised 21 the term "sovereignty" to "jurisdiction and control".
However, for all purposes, the interpretation and the 22 effect of the Korean proclamation remained the same.
19 Ibid. ; also Korean Survey. Vol. 6, No. 5, May, 1957, Oliver, op. cit.. p. 5.
20 Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 6, March 15, 1959, p. 5.
^^o r e a n a Quarterly. Lin, op. cit. , p. 73.
22 The Koreans continued to seize Japanese fishermen, generally sentencing them to six months to a year at hard labor, through 1957. On December 31, 1957, through United States mediation, the ROK and Japan signed an agreement calling for the mutual release of the Japanese fishermen and Koreans who had been sentenced by Japanese courts to deportation. However, during the muvual release operations Korea continued to capture Japanese fishing vessels and between January, 1958 and February, 1959 had seized an additional 12 fishing vessels and 124 fishermen.
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SOUTH KOREA’S POSITION REGARDING REPATRIATION
Regarding repatriation, the official Korean
position was that they would receive a!^ of the Koreans
in Japan, including any Korean Communists, providing
that the Japanese would pay a reasonable amount of 23 compensation to each returnee. The Korean Government
sou^t this payment as a token compensation for the
forced labor which Japan had exacted from its Korean
laborers. On this score, the Koreans accuse the Japanese
of first indicating that they would comply with the
request for compensation but later making compliance
dependent on the provision that part of the fund was to
come from the United States.The Koreans maintain
that when the United States showed reluctance to agree
to paying part of the compensation, Japan became evasive 25 and nothing further came of the negotiations.
Rhee’s intransigent attitude towards Japan is
illustrated by statements made by bim in an interview
during September 1955 :
Japan must agree to semtle our minimum de mands . . . Japan must withdraw unconditionally, claims to Korean property . . . together with 26 the renunciation of the insulting Kubota statement.
23 Syngman Rhee, Speech at the Anniversary of the 1919 Passive Resistance. March 1, I960, Seoul. ^"^Ibid. ^^Ibid.
^^Kubota was the Chief Japanese Delegate to the Third Conference. Ee allegedly stated: l) that the
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JapezL must recognize our fishery line, which was drawn for the purpose of maintaining peace between Korea and Japan. Japan must release Koreans held illegally .... Japan must not tolerate existence of two or three pro-Communist or anti—Republic of Korea organizations of Korean traitors in Japan which . . . seek to overthrow the Government of Korea. Japan must abandon its growing desire to trade end engage in other friendly relations with Communist North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union. Japan must renounce the protectorate and annexation treaties imposed upon Korea in 1905 and 1910. . . .
All indications were, however, that the Korean
Government realized that to have back in the homeland
the thousands of its countrymen from Japan would cause
serious problems for South Korea. Conditions in South
Korea had not been conducive to economic recovery. Kn
acute employment problem existed since South Korea is
primarily an agrarian state with few jobs for skilled or
even unskilled laborers. And there had been an overflow
of refugees from the Communist north which further
aggravated the employment problem. The Republic of
Korea could not support any non-productive group of citizens.
The Korean War had wiped out what economic gains had
been made and since this time, the country has been
largely dependent upon the United States Government
evacuation of the Japanese from Korea in 1945 was a violation of international law; 2) granting Korea her independence before the signing of a Japanese peace treaty was a violation of international law; 3) Japan's property claims in Korea were inviolate; 4) the Cairo Declaration's reference to the "enslavement" of the Korean people by Japan was based on wartime hysteria; 5 ) Japan's occupation of Korea had been beneficial to the Korean people.
^^The Nation. Clubb, op. cit., p. 377.
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2 8 financially, Korea had not been blessed with a period
of uninterrupted rehabilitation as had Japan, «-rd as
heretofore stated, it was questionable whether South
Korea had anything to offer these repatriates. Therefore,
one might conclude that the ROK maintained its uncompromis
ing position in the repatriation negotiations largely
because it realized the difficulties of having this
large group of its former residents back in South Korea,
At the same time, the ROK apparently did not want to
appear to have deserted these people and so it exerted
what efforts it could to improve the lot of the Koreans
in Japan. One Korean newspaper called on the Government
to:
. . . stick to a firm policy and negotiate with the Allied Powers so that the autonomy of tbe Korean in Japan may be confirmed and the prestige of our nation as an independent nation maintained.
In January, 1950, two prominent Korean citizens visited
Japan to observe the conditions of the Koreans there,
and on their return requested their Government, "to
take up a firmer policy and appeal to the people here
for the 600,000 Korean residents in Japan" In their
report, they advised the South Korean Government that:
28 Koreans Quarterly. "Fiscal Policy for a Self- Supporting Economy in Korea". So Chin Choi, Vol. I, No, 1, Autumn, 1959, pp. 86-90. 29 SCAP, Translations of Korean Newspapers, from the Chosun, January 9, 1950.
^SCAP, Translations from Korean Newspapers, from Tong A, January 20, 1950.
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. . • ThedLr (i.e. the Koreans) legal status has been gradually but steadily lowered by the Japanese Government. They are lacking in political ideals and economically, they have been always at a disadvantage. The Japanese Government has been oppressing them very hard. . . . The Korean residents there have lost the spirit of being members of an independent nation. . . . the Japanese Government las been controlling the activities of the Korean residents so ingeniously that most of the factories belonging to the Korean residents have been unable to remain in operation, and consequently 70 to 80_percent of the Korean residents is now jobless.
These two Korean representatives recommended to their
Government that they strengthen their Legation in Japan
because it was suffering from a personnel shortage and
lacked the "capacity of acting as a competent representative 32 body". Further, they said that the Legation had
proved itself to be "nothing but a formal organ, failing
to meet the expectations of the Korean residents
there. ..." 33 They also requested the South Korean
Government to:
. . . take up a plan to bring over to the homeland the factory-facilities now idle in Japan, install some financial organizations in that nation and, at the same, time, bring over to the homeland and put to industrial ireconstruc- tion the many competent Korean technicians, most of whom are now jobless in Japan. . . . that the Government lead and aid financially the Korean students studying in Japan. . . .
Although the above suggestions might have held some
merit, in 1950 the South Korean Government was unable
to act on this or any other plan because of the commence—
32lbid.
Ibid ^^Ibid.
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ment of the Korean War. As previously mentioned, the
Third Conference with Japan had been terminated in
October, 1953. Some four and on-half years elapsed
before representatives of the two Governments met «ga-n-n
to discuss the multitude of problems that existed between
them.
The Fourth Conference began in April, 1958. Soon
thereafter, reports began to be circulated that Japan
was considering taking steps to solve its problem of
the Korean minority by repatriating to North Korea
those Koreans who had expressed a desire to go there,
Japan said it was taking such a step for "humanitarian
reasons".South Korea announced that "for humanitarian
reasons it would fight such a move with a11 of its
power . . . and that they would use naval vessels to
intercept any repatriation ships bound for hell on 37 earth in North Korea".
Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 4, February 15, 1959, p. 2.
^^Newsweek, (Newsweek, New York), Vol. 53, February 23, 1959, p. 50.
^"^Ibid.
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NS&OTIATIONS
WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPIS'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
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FIRST STEPS TOWARDS NEGOTIATIONS
With, a view to realizing the repatriation of Koreans in Japan by their freely expressed will based on the freedom of choice of residence and the principles of the Red Cross, the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Red Cross Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea agree as follows . . .
The above preamble is the introduction to the
agreement signed at Calcutta on August 13, 1959 between
the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Red Cross Committee
of North Korea relative to the repatriation of those
Koreans in Japan who wished to go to North Korea.
This agreement was the culmination of a campaign
begun by some of the Korean residents, as far back as 2 1953, for their return to North Korea. Their first
efforts gained little momentum since this was about the
time of the Korean truce agreement and the situation in
North Korea was unstable.
In November, 1955, the Japanese Red Cross contacted
the North Korean Red Cross in an effort to obtain the
release of fifty Japanese who were interned in North
Korea.^ As a result, the North Korean Red Cross (NKRC)
suggested that a Japanese delegation visit Pyongyang to
The Agreement is reproduced as Appendix VI. 2 Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 4, February 15, 1959, p. 2.
^Japan Times. Tokyo, January 29, 1956.
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discuss the matter. The Japanese accepted the invitation
and, headed by the President of the Japan Red Cross (JTRC),
Yoshisuke Kasai, departed for Pyongyang in January, 1956.^
Apparently, it was the belief of the committee members
that their sole task was to make the necessary arrangements
for the return of their countrymen. However, the NKRC
asked them to consider a proposal for the repatriation 5 of the Korean residents in Japan to North Korea.
They also wanted to add to the agenda a discussion
calling for further cooperation between the two Red
Cross groups. ^ Rather surprised and unprepared to discuss
these issues, the Japanese delegation asserted positively
that they would have to confine the negotiations solely
to the original intent of the conference. For a time,
the NKRC persisted and the Japanese threatened to break
off the talks. In the face of their stand, the NKRC
scquiseed and agreement was finally reached on February 26, 7 1956 for the return of the Japanese from North Korea.
^Ibid.
^Japan Times, February 24, 1956. ^Ibid.
*^Ibid.. February 25, 26 and 27, 1956. The agreement was for the NKRC to bear all expenses of the Japanese repatriates until they had entered the port of Shako. Each Japanese was to be given 20,000 yen in North Korean currency. Of the number held by the Communists, 12 decided to remain in North Korea.
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The Republic of Korea immediately accused the
Japanese Government of scheming with the Communists
and statements appeared in South Korean newspapers
accusing Japan and North Korea of having reached a
secret understanding for the repatriation of the Koreans Q in Japan to North Korea. One newspaper wrote that
Japan was "conniving with North Korea to repatriate
Koreans into Communist slavery and for the establishment 9 of trade relations".
From subsequent events, it would be reasonable
to conclude, as did one independent periodical, that
the two Red Cross Societies were acting as agents for
their governments and were to conduct negotiations
concerning the question of repatriation.^^ In fact,
one Japanese newspaper flatly stated that the two societies
had agreed to refer the question of Korean repatriation
to the International Committee of the Red Cross (iCRC)
for settlement.^ The South Korean accusation is further
strengthened by the fact that one member of the delegation,
Kisuke Miyakoshi, a former member of the Diet, did
actually sign a treaty for trade but his action was 12 reputiated by the Japanese Government. Although the
Japanese people were pleased with the outcome of the
K o r e a n Republic. Seoul, February 4, 1956. ^Tbid.
^^The Economist, Vol. 193, No. 606, December 19, 1959, p. 1167
Japan Times. February 29, 1956. Ibid.
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meetings, their press strongly criticized the manner in
which the Communists had conducted their negotiations
and accused them of using the Japanese internees as
"human pawns" to win the North Koreans a formalization 13 of closer ties.
"UNOFFICIAL" NEGOTIATIONS BY TEE CROSS
In May, 1956, two representatives of the
International Committee of the Red Cross arrived in
Japan, apparently at the invitation of the Japanese
Red Cross Society. They inspected the Omura Detention
Camp where those Koreans who had entered Japan illegally
since the end of the war were being held. They con
ferred with officials of the Japanese Foreign Office
and, although no public statement was issued relevant
to the subject of the discussions, it may be presumed
that some agreement was reached on a course of action
that would be followed for negotiating the repatriation 14 of the Koreans to North Korea# Certainly this was
the opinion of one South Korean newspaper which stated
in an editorial:
^^Ibid.
^"^Ibid.. Hay 7, 1956.
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The Foreign Ministry of the ROK sternly protests against the combined efforts of the JRC and the ICRC to repatriate ROK citizens to the North Korean Communist puppet bandits. This is certainly a political problem involving the Governments of the ROK and Japan, and the JRC forcible repatriation of ROK citizens from Japan to the area under the rule of the North Korean puppets is a direct violation of the charter of the Red Cross . . .
We have reason to believe that the Japanese Government and the Pyongyang puppet regime con cluded a secret agreement on the repatriation of Japanese citizens to Japan. This agreement was implemented with the tacit approval of the ICRC. The first implementation was the repatriation of 3Ô Japanese nationals to Japan from North Korea.
It is now clear that the repatriation of Japanese nationals was the first half of the deal. The second is the illegal repatriation of Korean nationals to the Communist side, and the Red Cross is going to be used as an agent for Japan, the North Korean puppets and their wicked political scheme . Behind the release of the 48 Japanese nationals is the Japanese scheme to-deport 600,000 Koreans residing in Japan. . . .
Nothing concrete came of the plan for the next
two years. Then, in September, 1958, the General
Federation of Korean Residents in Japan launched a
campaign for mass voluntary return to North Korea.
The Federation claimed that they bad an immediate response
^^Korean Republic. July 22, 1956.
^^The General Federation of Korean Residents in Japan was, more or less, the successor to the Korean League. The League was ordered to disband by the Japanese Government on September 8, 1949, specifically because it had participated in demonstrations and rioting against Japanese laws and interfered with Japanese police and revenue agents in the discharge of their duties. See Mr. Vagner’s discussion, op. cit., pp. 84—88. The General Federation is also Imown by the names of Chosun Soren, Chosun In Ryrmmarig. and Choryun.
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of 117,000 Koreans expressing their desire to repatriate
to the North.
Although the North Korean regime had banned
all immigration, it had li.:,fted this ban because it
evidently was in need of additional labor. As previously
mentioned, large numbers of Koreans had fled to South
Korea to escape the Communist rule. Particularly,
it needed workers for the coal-mines and this fitted
in quite well with the background of many of the Koreans
m- Japan. T 18
The South Koreans charged that the General
Federation was Communist-sponsored and reported that
the Pyongyang regime had contributed to it some 19 720,000,000 yen or approximately $2,000,000. The
ROK further charged that the Japanese had been responsible
for the growth of Communism in the Korean community
because their discriminatory treatment had created
conditions in which the Koreans could be easily 20 exploited by the Communists.
17 Japan Report, Vol. V, No. 4, February 15, 1959.
^^ewsweek. Vol. 53, February 23, 1959, p. 50. 1 q ___ The Voice of Korea. Vol. XVI, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 2. 20 Koreana Quarterly, Vol. I, No. 1, Autumn, 1959, Lee, op. cit., p. 69.
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OFFICIAI. NEGOTIATIONS
The Japanese Government hegen to regard the idea
■with increasing favor. It Took the position that "this
question should he dealt with solely in accordance with
the principle of the freedom of the choice of residence". 2 1
Oü January 31» 1959, Foreign Affairs Minister Fujiyama
Aiichiro announced that the Government was considering
the voluntary repatriation of the Korean residents to 22 North Korea. Shortly after, on February 13, 1959,
the Japanese Cabinet reaffirmed the principle of
"choice of residence" and announced that, as an initial
step, it had "decided to request the cooperation of
the International Committee of the Red Cross in con-
firming the wishes of Korean residents concerned".23
The Government specifically summarized their policy as
follows:
1. The principle that every person has the fundamental human right to leave or to return to his own co-untry . . . is clarified in the World Declaration of Human Rights. The Japanese Government’s present policy in handling the problem is in strict conformity with this accept ed principle.
2. The Japanese Government believes . . . that restriction, for political reasons, of the freedom of a person to choose his own residence is a violation of this very belief upon which the free nations are founded.
21 Japan Report, Vol. V, No. 4, February 15, 1959, p. 2. 22 Japan Times. January 31, 1959. 23 Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 4, February 15, 1959, p. 2.
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3. . . . the Japanese Government . . . has decided to request the International Committee of the Red Cross, . . . to confirm the wishes of the individuals concerned, accepting previous offers made by that Committee, and to respect the results of such confirmations.
4. Voluntary return to North Korea would be based on the free will of the individueil and would not be a compulsory repatriation by the Japanese Government. If a person, through his own free will, chooses to leave Japan «nd to live in another territory, the Japanese Government believes that it would be conforming to the principles of democracy to respect such wishes, regardless of the ideology of the authorities having control over such territory.
5. Since the Japanese Government’s position is solely that it will not prevent voluntary return to North Korea based on the free will of the individual, this position naturally bears no implication such as that of giving recognition to the North Korean authorities. It is not a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of. Korea, nor is it an unfriendly act against it.
The South Korean reaction to this was to threaten
the Japanese that if the plan was carried out, "serious 25 consequences would follow". President Ehee accused
the Japanese of lending themselves "to a monstrous
scheme to lure one hundred thousand or more of them
(i.e. Koreans) to North Korea to be re-enslaved under
communisn. This is a conspiracy carried out in collabora
tion with the communist enemy"During this period
Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 4, February 15, 1959, pp. 2-3. ^^Korean Republic. February 1, 1959.
^^Syngman Ehee, Speech at the Anniversary of the 1919 Passive Resistance. Seoul, March 1, 1959.
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when pressure had been building up for Japan to negotiate
with North Korea, the ROK and Japan hod been holding
talks on this same end other matters. These talks began
to collapse when Japan refused to give written assurances
that it would not consider "deportation" of the Korean
nationals to North Korea. The ROK delegation announced
on February 14, 1959 that it would not continue with
the talks until Japan had abandoned the "deportation 27 scheme". The ROK National Assembly adopted a resolu
tion condemning the repatriation plan, charging that it
was illegal and voted to appeal to the United Nations 28 and the ICRC to prevent it. The South Korean Cabinet
met in an emergency session, also on Febrtiary 14, 1959,
and issued a statement reiterating that South Korea
would receive the repatriates at any time, but only
after Japan had paid compensation for the forced labor 29 of the repatriates.
Following the issuance of the Japanese Cabinet's
announcement that it had decided to request the coopera
tion of the ICRC Prime Minister Kishi Nubueuke announced
that the ICRC would be asked to ascertain the number of
Koreans desiring to repatriate to North Korea.In
reply, an ICRC representative stated that if the ICRC
27 Korean Republic. February 15, 1959.
^®Ibid. ; also New York Times. (New York Times Co., New York), February 15, 1959.
^^Ibid. Japan Times, February 14, 1959.
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did become involved in the actual repatriation, it
would limit its duties to obtaining assurances that
the Koreans were given freedom of choice.
Japanese Red Cross officials and their North
Korean counterparts continued with anezchange of
views by cablegrams and finally it was agreed to hold 32 bilateral talks at Geneva beginning April 13, 1959.
The Japanese delegation was again headed by Yoshisuke
Kasai and the North Korea head delegate was li 11 Kyung.
Also present at the talks was a spokesman for South
Korea, Kim Yong Shik, then ROK Minister to France.
Minister Kim did not participate in the meetings but
did present his Government’s views on the proceedings 33 both to the ICRC and to the press.
The talks proceeded slowly because of disagree
ment over the details for execution of the repatriation.
The Japanese side emphasized their desire to have the
ICRC play a significent role during the entire repatria
tion program. The North Koreans were pressing to have
the lists of Koreans desiring repatriation compiled
by the General Federation, which as heretofore mentioned,
was apparently Communist-supported, 34 Agreement was
finally reached by June 18, 1959 but the signing was
^^ e w York Times, February 14, 1959.
Japan Times, April 13, 1959; Voice of Korea. Vol. XVT, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 2
^^ o i c e of Korea. Vol. XVI, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 2
^Ibid.
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delayed for two months while Japan waited for the
approval of the agreement by the ICRC. The latter
formally announced that it would participate and assist
the Japanese Red Cross in carrying out the repatriation
on August 11, stating as follows:
The International Committee of the Red Cross has decided to lend its assistance to the Japan Red Cross with a view to preparing the repatriation of Korean residents in Japan who express the wish to proceed to a place of their choice in their country of origin. This decidion . . . is dictated solely by the interest of the persons concerned. The International Committee notes that on October 16, 1958, the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea stated that it was prepared to receive those Korean residents in Japan who wish to proceed to north Korea, and to make ships available for their repatriation. On February 13, 1959, the government of Japan decided, on its own responsibility, to authorize these repatriations and to entrust the Japan Red Cross with the organization of the repatriation, with the assistance of the ICRC. Further, the agreement reached in Geneva on June 24, 1959, between the Red Cross Societies of Japan and the Democratic People * s Republic of Korea has sho%»n that the two societies intend to base their action on the principle whereby every person should have the right freely to choose his place of residence and, in particular, to return to his home country. Since, in the opinion of the ICRC, this principle of fhee choice implies that the Koreans in Japan have the possibility of proceeding to north Korea, of remaining in Japan or of going to south Korea, negotiations were started with the government of Japan and the Japan Red Cross. The ICRC has received satisfactory assurances from them in regard both to the conditions whereby the principle of the free choice of the persons concerned will be guaranteed, and to the position of Koreans who would remain in Japan. Lastly, the government and the Red Cross of the Republic of Korea recently informed the ICRC that Koreans residing in Japan who wish to go to the Republic of Korea would be authorized
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to do so as soon as the necessary arrangements for this purpose have been made with the Japanese government. The International Committee hopes that it will also be possible to reach an agreement for the organization of these repatriation. A mission of the ICRC will shortly be leaving for Tokyo to make arrangements for the International Committee • s participation in this matter.
Tt=TR agrebicbnt
With the announcement of ICRC support, the JRC
announced that its representatives would meet with
those of the NKRC at Calcutta on August 13, 1959 to
sign the final agreement. There were three salient
points to the agreement. Although the Japanese Red Cross
Society was to be responsible for registering the Koreans
who wished to return, it could request the cooperation
of the ICRC to ensure that the organization and operation
of the system for registration was "fair, impartial 37 and in conformity with the humanitarian principles".
Secondly, the repatriation was to include all Koreans
in Japan, even those who had acquired Japanese nationality *5S but wished to go to North Korea. Thirdly, the agreement
called upon North Korea to provide the vessels for the
return voyage at its eacpense, while the Japanese side
^^Voice of Korea. Vol. ZVI, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 2; Japan Report. Vol. V, No. 17, September 1, 1959, p. 3.
^^See Append ix VI. 37 The Agreement, Article 3.
^®Ibid., Article 1.
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was to be responsible for tbe expenses of tbe Koreans
while enroute from their residences in Jepan to the •50 port of embarkation at Niigata.
The agreement specified that the returnees were
to be ELllowed to take with them up to 45» 000 yen in
Japanese currency in the form of a check in pound
sterling. However, if a repatriate had over this
amount, he was to be allowed to deposit the excess
in a bank in his name from which he could make with
drawals once in North Korea.In addition, personal
effects, household articles for the returnee and his
family's own use and professional instruments used in
pursuing his vocation could also be shipped. 41 It was
to be the responsibility of the Japanese Red Cross Society
to disseminate the procedures for repatriation to the 42 Koreans. The agreement was to be valid for fifteen
months, however, if the repatriation had not been
completed by the expiration date, there was a provision 43 for renegotiation for extensions.
^^Ibid.« Article 5 and Article 6.
"^°Ibid. . Article 6 ^^Ibid.
^^Ibid.. Article 8. ^^Ibid.. Article 9.
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SOUTH KOEBAN DENUNCIATION
The repatriation plan was bitterly denounced by
the Republic of Korea. It claimed that any plan to
repatriate Korean residents in Japan to North Korea
violated the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea.
On June 15» 1959, the ROK had severed all trade relations
with Japan including the purchase of Japanese products 44- with United States aid funds. The National Assembly
on June 17» 1959, adopted a resolution to "take p-~l 1
measures strong enough to block the Japanese repatriation 45 scheme".
Dr. Ehee promised to "use any and a.11 means
available to prevent repatriation". On the day that
the agreement was signed he said:
Korea shall not talk now of countermeasures. If the Japanese will meet us in sincerity, there is a chance of equitable solutions. If not, resort will have to be had to other means of safeguarding Korean interests and our people who reside in Japan. Let us do our best, a ^ Japan to do the same, and see what happens.
Despite the promises made by President Ehee and
other government officials that everything possible
would be done to prevent any repatriation of Koreans
44 Japan Quarterly. Vol. VI, No. 4, October-December, 1959, p. 526.
^^ o i c e of Korea. Vol. ZVI, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 2, "^^Ibid. ^"^Ibid.
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SOUTH KOREAN DENUNCIATION
The repatriation plan was bitterly denounced by
the Republic of Korea. It claimed that any plan to
repatriate Korean residents in Japan to North Korea
violated the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea.
On June 15» 1959» the ROK had severed all trade relations
with Japan including the purchase of Japanese products — . 44 with united States aid funds. The National Assembly
on June 17, 1959, adopted a resolution to "take 1
measures strong enough to block the Japanese repatriation 45 scheme".
Dr. Rhee promised to "use any and l means
available to prevent repatriation".^^ On the day that
the agreement was signed he said:
Korea shall not talk now of countermeasures. If the Japanese will meet us in sincerity, there is a chance of equitable solutions. If not, resort will have to be had to other means of safeguarding Korean interests and our people who reside in Japan. Let us do our best, ask Japan to do the same, and see what happens.
Despite the promises made by President Rhee and
other government officials that everything possible
would be done to prevent any repatriation of Koreans
Japan Quarterly. Vol. VI, No. 4, October-December, 1959, p. 526.
'^^Voice of Korea. Vol. XVI, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 2.
^^Ibid. ^"^Ibid.
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to North Korea, there was a group of Koreans in Japan
who accused, the HOK of inaction and doing nothing to
help. This rightist group was known as the Korean
Residents Association in Japan.On June 16, 1959,
three leaders had adopted a resolution declaring that
their organization could "no longer trust or support
the present Liberal Party or the government (i.e. the
ROK Government)The Association's President,
Kim Jae Hwa, stated that his group had received nothing 50 after ten years of pleading for funds. Lee Chun Tu,
one of the two other leaders, accused the South Korean
Government not only of failure to help Koreans in Japan
but of refusing to take them back to South Korea. Ee
stated that the ROK Government had even made it difficult
for a Korean in Jepan to obtain permission to visit
South Korea, and added that, "The anti—Communist Koreans
here won't go back home because the government won't
help them"•
The next day, on June 17, the ROK National
Assembly responded by recommending an immediate appro
priation of 200,000,000 hwan for a "protection and
guidance program" and the Education Ministry allocated
another 100,000,000 hwan for Korean in Japan. This
300,000,000 hwan sum would be equal at that time to
^®Ibid. '^^Ibid. ^°lbid. ^^Ibid.
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$600,000 at the official exchange rate hut only $250,000 52 on the free market. On June 25, 1959, another group
of Association leaders issued a statement offering
"loyal support throughout for the ROK Government"
despite "its poor policy toward Korean residents in 53 Japan". It announced that the Association would
send members into every prefecture of Japan in attempts
to persuade Koreans to either remain in Japan or to go 54 only to South Korea.
In Seoul Koreans staged demonstrations, many
in front of the United States Embassy, débité the
fact that the United States had refused to become 55 involved in the matter, Throu^ Lincoln White, of
the U.S. State Department, the United States did issue
a statement to the effect that "the United States has
consistently endorsed the principle of voluntary re
patriation based on full freedom of choice".
In an interview held in the fall of 1959, President
Rhee told of his government's specific grounds for
objection:
1. Ninety—seven percent of the residents came from the south. 2. She ROK considered it a crime to send people into Communist slavery. 3. Japan had discriminated against the residents making them easy recruits for communism.
^^Ibid. ^^Ibid.. p. 5. ^^Ibid.
^^Ibid.. p. 2. ^^Ibid.
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4. The Communists had. been permitted to bribe, to lie, to intimidate, and even to use violence against the residents. 5. The northern sector is severely short of manpower and such deportations were considered a hostile act against the SOK. 6. All Koreans are citizens of the HOK, which is recognized by the United States and the Free World as the o n ^ legitimate sovereignty on the Korean peninsula.
President Rhee enlarged upon his views stating:
Ignoring the fact that the question of legal status and future of the residents was on the Korea-Japan Conference Agenda, the Japanese decided upon the deportations and asked the International Committee of tbe Red Cross to supervise them. When the ICRC demurred, the Japan Red Cross entered into direct negotiations with the Communists to the north — who supposed ly are not recognized by the Japanese Government — and concluded a deportation agreement.
How can you repatriate to a country which does not exist, and to territory where,-many of the affected individuals never lived?"
TEE MOTIVES FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE TERES POWERS
Certainly the motives of the three nations
directly involved are not difficult to understand.
The Korean minority presented an acute problem to Japan.
It was to her advantage to be rid of this large, un-
assimilable, troublesome minority. From the end of
the war, Japan had been searching for a solution to
the problem they presented. She had failed to reach
57 Sunday Can -Chronicle. Allentown, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1959, p. 20. ^^Ibid.
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any agreement on a solution with the ROK after years
of negotiations. Since a large number of the Koreans
were requesting to go to North Korea, there seemed to
be no reason why they ^ould not be allowed to go.
As long as Japan protected the Koreans * freedom of
choice in the matter, it appeared to be a fine solution
for at least part of the Koreans as far as Japan was
concerned. As a bonus, there was also the possibility
that Japan's action might force the ROK Government
to come to terms and make them more agreeable to
settling their out-standing differences on other matters.
It would appear that South Korea's position
was dictated in part by her emotional attitude towards
her two chief adversaries — Japan and North Korea.
Because of her economic dilemma, she had evidently
determined to refuse to accept any of her nationals
unless Japan agreed to "reasonable compensation" for
their "forced labor" during World War 11.^^ That the
ROK treasury needed such monies is undeniable and in
principle, perhaps, the demand was justifiable. However,
no breath of compromise on the issue was offered.
The South Korean stand apparently offered no solution
59 Apparently, Dr. Rhee did not generally discuss public ally the sum that he would consider "reasonable compensation". An American newspaperman, Warren TJnna, Staff Reporter for the Washington Poet, stated in an article in that paper on September 6, I960, that the sum demanded by the ROK was $1500 for each Korean. At this figure, the total for 600,000 Koreans would be $900,000,000. Therefore, depending on viewpoint, the adjective "reasonable"might be questioned.
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to the problem other than complete capitulation by
Japan to her demands.
Since Japan was not content to bargain ad
infinitum, she responded to the North Korean overtures.
This action was a most bitter pill for South Korea to
swallow for several reasons. First, the Japanese response
was actually a form of negotiation with the Communist
regime for despite the fact that the negotiations were
handled and conducted by the two Red Cross Societies
of the two nations, the Societies were acting with the
approval of their governments. The ROK feared that any
contact between the Communist regime and other govern
ments might lead to recognition of the Communist Govern
ment. As mentioned, one Japanese delegate did sign a
trade pact with the North Koreans only to have it
reputiated by the Japanese Government, Certainly,
however, with the Japanese need for trade outlets,
conditions could ripen whereby trade with North Korea
would be sanctioned by the Japanese authorities. Thus,
any type of negotiations provided opportunities for a
more permanent relationship to develop. Also, there
was a practical reason for ROK protests to the repatria
tions. The skilled laborers leaving Japan for the
Communist north gave to North Korea a badly needed
increase in manpower. And so South Korea could claim,
with justification, that Japan was aiding and abetting
the enemy power.
The motives for the Democratic People * s Republic
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of Korea were -biie reverse of those of the R C Z - the
advantages for them were ohvious disadvantages for
the ROK. The increased lahor force was certainly
welcome particularly since many of these Koreans hed
been trained in Japanese industry. And despite the
fact that the agreement had been concluded by non
governmental agencies, there nevertheless derived
therefrom an increase in North Korean international
prestige. lastly, the agreement could cause further
disruption in ROK-Japanese negotiations and relations.
This would not only have its effect on the two countries
involved, but on the United States and other Western
powers which would stand to gain from their establish
ment of cooperative relations.
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THE EXECUTION OP THE REPATRIATION
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TSE PROCBDÜRAIi PIAN
On September 4, 1959, as the initial step, the
Japanese Red Cross issued a "Guidebook on Repatriation"
which outlined the procedure to be followed from registra
tion of the Koreans to boarding the ships. ^ The details
of the Guidebook had been drawn up by the JRC with the
assistance of Marcel Junod, vice-president of the ICRC.
It consisted of three main parts: l) the actual repatria
tion procedures; 2) the provisions for confirmation of
the returnees desire to leave; and 3) conditions 2 respective to residence in Japan.
The Guidebook specified:
1. Family members of friends would be
allowed to see the repatriate before the train left for
the port of embarkation. However, the returnee would
be restricted to the train while en route, and upon
his arrival at the port of embarkation at Niigata
would be restricted to the camp there.
2. The JRC Center at Niigata was to complete
the exit procedures in a four day period.
3. The last chance for changing his mind
would be presented when the repatriate met with officials
of the JRC and the ICRC at the Ceater. luring this
meeting only an interpreter and the officials could
be present.^
1 2 Japan Times. September 4, 1959. Ibid.
^Ibid.
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The Guidebook was greeted with immediate protests
from the General Federation which charged that these
instructions violated the provisions of the August 13
agreement,^ Specifically, it objected to the Japanese
refusal to allow its members the right to display the
flag of North Korea in Japan, Secondly, the Communists
opposed the regulation that forbade the repatriates
to leave their train while en route to the port of
embarkation as well as the rule forbidding interviews
with the repatriates at the port of embarkation. Lastly,
the General Federation protested the requirement calling
for confirmation of the desire of the repatriates to go
to North Korea which was to be made at the embarkation
center by the JRC in the presence of ICRC officials.
The first rule was obviously adopted by Japan
because she did not recognize the Government of North
Korea. To allow the Communist Korean flag to be dis
played would further aggravate the South Koreans.
Japan’s reasons for the second regulation were probably
twofold — one being to prevent pressure from either side
on the repatriate; and the other being as a counter
intelligence measure against the Communists. In defense
of the third requirement, the JRC replied that the
repatriate must be given an opportunity to express
his will until the time that he actually set sail,
and also to ensure that he was acting of his own volition.
^Ibid. ^Ibid.
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The JRC Guidebook stipulated that this last interview
be held at the embarkation center with a representative
of the ICRC present as a witness apparently because
the Japanese were greatly concerned over persuasive
pressure being used on the Koreans and because they
were concerned lest they be criticized for their handling
of the "freedom of choice" aspect of the movement.
Japan was determined to proceed, however, and on
September 16, 1959, it announced that the registration
for the repatriation would begin on September 21 and
that she expected the first ship to leave Niigata on
November 10.^ On the scheduled date, the JRC opened
3,655 registration places throughout Japan to receive
applications. Twenty-two ICRC officials observed the 7 proceedings in six groups.
Response to the registration was small because
of the strong opposition from the General Federation
and very few Koreans registered. The Federation
demanded retraction of the provision in the Guidebook
that called for confirmation by each Korean of his
desire to leave. Perceptively, the Federation complained
that the Guidebook "restricted their movements".^ It
further scored the security regulations at the embarkation
^Janan Times. September 16, 1959.
*^The Voice of Korea, Vol. XVI, No. 252, October, 1959, p. 3. 8 Japan Times, September 22, 1959.
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g port of Niigata as being too restrictive. The Federa
tion also charged, that those provisions of the Guidebook
which purportedly guaranteed "free will" constituted
"excessive kowtowing to Syngman Hhee and Americanism".^^
On October 10, 1959, the new chairman of the North
Korean Red Cross, Kim Rung Ki, cabled the JRC that the
Guidebook "violated the Calcutta Agreement". ^
Japan continued with her own plans despite these
pressures and on October 12, chief Cabinet Secretary
Stsusaburo Shina announced that the Guidebook would 2.2 __ not be revised. In answer to the NESC cable, the
JRC advised that there apparently was some "misunder
standing".^^ On October T15, the JRC asked the NKRC
to send their first repatriation ships so that the
repatriates could begin their journey by November 12, 1959.^^
It is interesting to note that at this point -
whether because of their dissatisfaction with the
provisions of the Guidebook or for some other reason
upon which one can only speculate — the North Koreans
remained silent and did not respond to the Japanese
request for a repatriation ship. 'When no answer had
been received by October 16, Foreign Minister Aiichiro
^The Voice of Korea. Vol, K7I, No. 2p2, October, 1959, P. 3. ^°Ibid. ^Ibid. ^ Ibid. ^^Ibid.
Japan Times, October IS, 1959; The Voice of Korea, op. cit., p. 5«
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Fujiyama reportedly requested members of the Socialist
Party - the Government * s rival party — to mediate the 15 stalemate. Despite these efforts, by October 18,
only 257 Koreans had applied for repatriation and
there were continued protests from the General Federation
concerning the "cruel treatment" of the repatriates.^^
During this period of uncertainty concerning
the future of the plan there was speculation that seme
Korean residents might take matters in their own hands.
Some thought the determined ones might attempt to
arrange for their own transportation to North Korea
as did ten Korean students in July, 1959. They had
applied for, and received exit visas from the Japanese
Government, traveled on a Russian ship headed for Europe
and, after a trip around the world, eventually sirrived
at Pyongyang. The Japanese Government took the position
that they "could not refuse such exit permits unless
they had committed crimes or disturbed public order".17
It was evident that the Japanese Government
wanted the repatriation plan to succeed. The very
fact that she had conducted negotiations with the
Communists of North Korea in the face of South Korean
accusations and pressures to refrain pointed up her
15 The Voice of Korea, op. cit., p. 5.
Japan Times. October 18, 1959. 17 The Voice of Korea, op. cit., p. 3.
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desire to consummate the repatriation. The departure
of the Koreans was to her advantage and, accordingly
she evidently acceeded to compromise. On October 27,
the JRC announced a relaxation of some of the regulations
contained in the Guidebook. In lieu of the rule
requiring that each individual repatriate be questioned,
the amendment provided for family—size groups to be
interviewed to obtain the reaffirmation of their desire
to go to North Korea. A spokesman for each group was
to make a decision for his entire group. In addition,
the JRC agreed to allow visitors at the repatriation 19 center "at the discretion of the authorities in charge".
These two amendments were approved by the ICRC
and were accepted by the General Federation and it was
announced on October 28 that the repatriation would 20 proceed. With the approval of the General Federation,
individual participation increased, end less than two
weeks later, the total of applications for repatriation
numbered 5,253.^^
^ J a p a n Times. October 27, 1959. ^^Ibid.
90 Ibid., October 28, 1959.
^^Ibid.. November 6, 1959.
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SOUTH KOREAN EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE REPATRIATION
Meanwhile, the publication of the Guidebook had
caused a renewal of the protests by South Korea. On
September 4, 1959, the day the Guidebook hf>d been
issued, the South Korean Government announced that it
had contributed $^0,000 to help destitute Koreans in
Japan as part of their campaign against the repatriation. 22
Then, on September 8, the ROK Ambassador in Tokyo,
Yui Tai Ha announced to the press that he might apply 23 for repatriation to embarrass the Japanese Government.
He stated:
Our Korean nationals are going to be sent to slavery. As ambassador I feel I have to protect any Koreans who are misled into making the wrongpChoice. I must use every means to that end.
Ambassador Tui said that he thought his application
would dissuade his countrymen because of "its sheer 25 incongruity".
The next day, on September 9, the South Korean
Foreign Minister, Oho Chung Whan, announced that his
nation was prepared to accept all Korean repatriates
22 Japan Times. September 4, 1959. 23 The Japanese allowed the Koreans to maintain a Diplomatic Mission in Tokyo and the chief representative, as a courtesy, was commonly referred to as embassador. The Japanese do not have any diplomatic representation in Korea.
Japan Times. September 8, 1959. ^^Ibid.
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from Japan, even the Communists. Ee said:
The Republic of Korea is prepared to accept the repatriation of 1 Koreans in Japan as soon as the Japanese Government settles the matter of their compensation. Korean residents who do not wish to be repatriated may remain in Japan as permanent residents of that country . . . Conditions for repatriation include only these two points: l) that Japan pay compensation for forced labor previously imposed on the Korean residents, and that such funds be expended in the resettlement of the returnees, and that, 2 ) residents be permitted to take pit of their property with them.
Minister Cho also said that during negotiations between
the ROK and Japan which had been held during the early
1950’s, Japan had "implied full recognition" of the
fact that the Koreans in Japan were citizens of South 27 Korea.
South Korea had welcomed the dispute over the
regulations of the Guidebook and had hoped to use this
to prevent the repatriation. Talks between the ROK-
Japanese delegates had been resumed on August 12 but
the South Koreans refused to negotiate seriously and
merely used the talks to issue general statements
which, in effect, indicated their hope to achieve the
return of all Koreans in Japan to South Korea. When,
on October 28, 1959, the Japanese announced that they
would proceed with the North Korean repatriation plan.
^^Ibid.. September 9, 1959. ^^Tbid.
^^Ibido. October 21, 1959.
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the ROK delegation evidenced outrage and declared that
there could be no possibility of further progress in 29 talks with Japan. Tet, on December 6, evidently
as a last-ditch effort to prevent the "deportation"
from taking place, the ROK Ambassador Tui proposed the
conclusion of a basic agreement calling for repatriation
of the Koreans to South Korea before they left for
North Korea.Because of their past performances
the Japanese Government regarded this proposal as a
diversionary tactic rather than a sincere offer to
come to terms on the matter.
As the time for the departure of the first group
for North Korea neared, the South Korean protests became
more intense and emotional. One Korean evidently tried
to carry out President Rhee’s order to resist the move
ment "at all costs" by attempting to dynamite the Red
Cross center at Niigata. Cha Chin was arrested on
December 4 on charges of sabotage. He told Japanese
police that he had plotted with ROK Ambassador Tui and
the Third Secretary of the ROK Mission in Tokyo, The 3T Ammbassador disclaimed the story. “
99 Ibid.. November 9, 1959.
^^Ibid., December 6, 1959.
^^Ibid., January 4, I960.
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5EPATEIATI0N
With, all efforts of the EOS Government failing —
diplomatically end otherwise — the first contingent of
Koreans arrived in Niigata on December 12, 1959. Also
on December 12 two Soviet ships, the Tovarish and the 32 Krylion, arrived in Niigata with flags gaily flying.
Departure preparations were accompanied by many gala
celebrations and farewell parties. The atmosphere was 33 high with optimism and gaity. The confirmation
interviews were completed with no one reported to
have altered his decision.With matters having
proceeded smoothly, the 975 Koreans in the first group
boarded the two ships on December 13 and made ready to
sail the following day.
The EOK Government reacted by placing their
military forces on alert status on December 13.
Realistically, however. South Korea was not in a
position to attack either Japan or the repatriation
ships since the ROK military forces were subordinate
to the United Nations command which was headed by an
American general. Further, the ROK was con^letely 3K dependent on the UN for logistic support. " The most
^^Asahi Shimbun. (Asahi Shimbun-sha, Tokyo), December 12, 1959. (Translation) 33 Ibid.. December 9, 1959 through December 13, 1959,
^^Ibid.. December 13» 1959.
orton, on. cit., pp. 435-436; Koreana Quarterly. Vol. I, No. 1, Autumn, 1959, "Problems of the Korean Military Armistice", Han-key Dee, pp. 55-56.
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dreaded possibility was that President Eh.ee mi^it
trigger some action that would violate provisions of
the Korean armistice and cause a renewal of hostilities
with the Communists to the North. Since the repatriation
ships were Russian, presumably they would have received
Soviet protection in the event of attack. However, even
this possibility was considered remote as reflected in
the statement of the Russian Captain of the Tovarish
on December 13:
I don't think they (i.e. the ROK) will attack us. We have the Russian flag flying. They will be afraid of this flag.
None of the above fears were realized. The first
two repatriation ships arrived in Chongjin in North 37 Korea on December 16, 1959 after an uneventful voyage.
South Korea had not made any attempts to make good their
threats to stop them. President Hhee's actions were
probably defensive in nature but they did serve notice
that he would not take defeat without a protest. These
protests did serve the purpose of making South Korea's
position known and to some extent "saved face" for the
young republic.
Asahi Shimbun. December 14, 1959. 3*7 Ibid., December 16, 1959; Jan an Times. December 17, 1959.
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IN TEE n'AZE OP REPATRIATION
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NORTH KOREAN RECEPTION
Reports emanating from North, Korea appear to
he a mixture of h i ^ emotion and propaganda. One
observer described the arrival of the repatriates as
follows:
. . . No sooner had the train pulled into the station than the returnees jumped down onto the platform where they were embraced by Pyongyang citizens. . . . Then came endless shouts of (long live). . . . When I saw this touching scene I was moved to tears. . . .
Pointing out that a new happy life was promised to those who had come back home. Premier Kim II Sung continued; 'You are guaranteed all freedom due to the citizens of our Republic. You will be provided with jobs and every other condition for living. I hope al 1. of you will make an active contribution to socialist con struction by devoting your all whethej it be learning or physical strength'. . . .
There were many ecstatic comments end reports in the
North Korean press which purportedly had been made by
the repatriates. Examples of these testimonials include :
"The n-’'ÿitmare is gone"; "I feel true happiness" ; and, 2 "A life of abundance". One Korean related that, "We
were given employment and allotted flats earlier than
we expected. We were asked at the reception center
what of job we wished and two days later everything
^ o r e a , (Pyongyang), No. 43, I960, "Welcome Home", p. 1, quoting Kenro Shimsmoto, a reporter for the Yomiuri, a Japanese newspaper.
^Ibid.. No. 46, I960, pp. 6-9.
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I returned on the second repatriation ship. . . . At my wish I was allowed to work at the copper refinery shop of the Mampo Smeltry. I'iy heart swells with joy at the thought that I have become a worthy worker in the fatherland *
Today all the people live without worry about food, clothing and housing. The workers in our smeltering plant are provided with cosy modem houses. Parents do not have to worry about the education of their children. A T 1 the children are educated from primary course to university at the state expense.
Dater reports are just as flowery in description
and praise conditions in their new home. After nine
months, a North Korean publication stated:
It is nine months since the repatriation boats carrying the first batch of Korean returnees from Japan arrived at the Chungj in wharf...... a total of 7,748 families, 31,261 persons altogether have returned home in thirty groups. 94.6 percent of the returned families are of South Korean origin. AT 1, of them are well aware of the fact that South Korea is a land of darkness.
Upon arrival in the fatherland, l the repatriates received fine m o d e m houses and jobs in accordance with their wishes and skill. . . . There are among the returnees 971 Japanese women and 6 Japanese men. . . .
And so it went. The Soviet ships made the round trip
on numerous occasions, each time carrying approximately
1,000 Koreans from Japan to North Korea. By I-Iaroh IS,
I960, 13,069 had left.^ The number totaled 47,016 by
^Ibid.. No. 44, I960, pp.4-5.
^Ibid.. No. 45, I960, pp. 10-11.
^Ibid.. No. 52, I960, pp. 17-18.
^The Washington Post. Inarch IS, I960.
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•7 November 6, I960. The JRC estimated that the number
would probably reach 100,000 by the time the repatriation
program had been completed.^
ROK PROTESTS CONTINUE
The accomplishment of the repatriation was a
great victory for the Comrcunists and a great defeat for
President Ehee politically at home and diplomatically
abroad. Rather pathetically, during March, I960, the
ROK belatedly suggested that 600 Koreans come from Japan
on a guided tour of South Korea in an effort to discourage 9 more of them from going North. Â little later, on
April 4, I960, the ROK and Japan agreed to resume trading
and again to attempt negotiations on the establishment
of diplomatic relations. It was later announced that
negotiations would be resumed on April 15, I960.
Despite the denial of both Japanese and Korean officials,
reliable sources indicated that the United States had
played a role in bringing the two together.
It would seem, however, that despite his failure
to prevent the repatriation. President Rhee's attitude
towards the Japanese had not softened nor was he any
more willing to compromise and come to terms with them.
*^rbid., November 7, I960.
®rbid., March 30, I960. ^Ibid.
^°Ibid.. April 5, I960.
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In an. interview with, an American newspaper correspondent
on April 7, I960, Dr, Hhee said;
. • • Japan is a threat to the peace of Asia. Any modification of Korea's policy towards Japan would be extremely difficult, . « • In a broad sense we expect Japan to respect our independence, tr^at us as equals and put aside her old ways of arrogance and superiority.
During April, I960, a revolution occurred in
South Korea removing Dr. Ehee from power. Shortly
after he departed for Hawaii with his wife where he now
resides in voluntary exile. An interim government took
over the reins with Huh Chung named as acting president.
There was widespread speculation that there would be
changes in South Korea’s attitude and policies towards
Japan since many had considered Dr. Rhee's own personal
animosity as the greatest stumbling block to the resur^tion
of normal relations with Japan. Hopes for a breakthrough
were quickly dashed, however, when on May 5» I960, Acting
President Huh announced that before any other issues with
Japan could be solved, the latter must abandon the repatria— 12 tion of Koreans to the Communist North. A week later,
he reiterated his stand and further accused Japan of
being the base for North Korean Communist agents infil
trating South Korea.Regarding the "deportation"
^ J a p an Times. April 7, I960. The interview was with Scripps—Howard correspondent, Jim G. Dueas.
^ T h e Evening Star, (Washington, D.C.), May 5, I960.
^^Ibid.. l'îay 12, I960.
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he stated:
« . « non—Koreans do not understand the resentment of the Korean people over the shipment of Korean citizens to the Communists in the North» Japan claims this is a ' humanitarian * act. We contend that true humsnitariani sm would never.^^ contend that true humsnitariani sm would never. . permit sending people into Communist slavery,
EXTENSION OF TEE REPATRIATION PROGRAE'î
In the beginning, glowing reports in letters
received from the repatriates in North Korea encouraged
those in Japan to apply for repatriation. Although
the early returnees complained of the lack of consumer
goods, they wrote that they had been warmly welcomed and
made to feel u s e f u l . A n d so as the months passed and
registrations increased, the JRC realized that the program
could not be completed within the fifteen month period
allotted in the Calcutta Agreement. Possibily keeping in
mind the previous long-drawn out meetings with the Commun
ists that had preceded the original agreement, the JRC
proposed meetings with the NZRC for extension of the
repatriation plan prior to the November 12 expiration
date. On August 5, I960, the 1\KRC agreed to hold talks
in Niigata to extend the agreement.Eight members of
^^Ibid.
~^The Washington Post. I'iarch 30, I960.
^^Jaoan Quarterly. Vol. VII, No. 4, p. 527,
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a KZHC delegation arrived in Niigata on August 25.^^
Disagreement began from the moment of arrival
of the NKRC delegates. Evidently for reasons of national
security, the Japanese Government issued an order
forbidding members of the North Korean delegation to
send press cables home. The situation reached an
impasse. As a compromise, on September 3, the Japanese
Government announced that it would give permission to
two of the delegates to cable press dispatches to
Pyongyang. 19
The talks deadlocked again over tbe major proposal
by the JRC for increasing the number of Koreans in each
shipload to facilitate an earlier conclusion to the
repatriation and for limiting the extension period for 20 further repatriation to six months. By completing
the repatriation as soon as possible, Japan obviously
hoped to bring an earlier end to South Korean pressures
and protests and perhaps to improve generally the
atmosphere in her relations with this country. And,
since from Japan’s end, repatriation had been proceeding
smoothly, there was no reason why the program should not
be speeded up and brought to a final conclusion. North
^'^Ibid.. p. 528.
Japan Times. September 3, I960. ^^Ibid.
20 The Washington Post. September 15, I960.
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Korea did not want to speed up the program, however,
2~i and also wanted an unlimited extension, ~ And so negoxia-
tions were at a stalemate. A spokesman for the Japanese
Government stated that the position taken hy the JP.C
was final and that it would not hack down. The spokesman.
Chief Cabinet Secretary I^asayoshi Ohira, pointed out that
agreement to a size—month extension wozld not preclude a
second extension should it become necessary. 22 The NKRC
delegation responded by accusing Japan of "insincerity"
and of trying to "ram the prcgrao through as soon as possible". 23
Members of the delegation charged thc.t Japan's proposal had
been "politically motivated". With both sides holding
firm, the iSSC delegation made preparations to leave for
home and threatened to stop the repatriation ships. 25 At
the same time, the General Federation of Korean Residents
in Japan began demo^istrations to : ersuade the Japanese
Government to agree to a longer ezctension oeriod. 2Ô
Negotiations between the two Red Cross Societies
were finally resumed and despite all difficulties,
resulted in a one-year extension of the -rogram. The
agreement was signed on board the Russian repatriation
^The Washington most. September Ip, I960. pp Korean Republic, September 20, I960. 23 Jaoan Times, Septei.foer 18, I960. 24 Korean Republic, September 20, I960.
^^Ibid.. September 24, I960. ^^Ibid.
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ship, the Tobarish, at Niigata on October 27, I960.
Japan hg.d ccnpronised by agreeing to the one-year
extension but she won her point to have the prograza
speeded— up as the IhCEC agreed to increase the average
group of returnees from 1,000 to about 1,500. 28
The remaining Koreans registered for the repatria
tion traveled to north Korea without eveat. It became
apparent that the JRC would be able to con lete the
program by the expiration date of the extension end so
no further efforts were made to obtain further extension.
The agreement expired on November 12, 1961 and the
Japanese Minister cf Justice arno.-nced thc.x a total of
93,360 persons had gone to North Korea. Of this number,
85,654 were Koreans, 7,454 were Jam one se euzd tlze remaining 29 252 were of other Asian nationalities.
27 The ashington ?ost, October 29, I960. PS Jaoan Times, October 28, I960. 29 These figures were given by hr. huroiwa, an information officer at the Japanese Smbassj', Kashington, D.C, hr. Kuroiwa also noted that, although complete facts are lacking, there are reports emanating from North Kzrea that some of the repatriates are now trying to return to Japan, hr. Kuroiwa stated that, to his knowledge, the Japanese Government does not intend to investigate these reports nor to make efforts to obtain tie return of these Koreans.
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RECENT SOUTH ZOREAi. ATTITUDES
Vfiaile the extension talks were going on in
Niigata, Acting President Euh of the ROK was replaced
"by Premier Jonn 01. Chang. The day after his election.
Premier Chang announced that he would seek cooperation
with Japan. Ee said :
Unlike the days under the former Hhee regime when anything Japanese was denounced, Japan is showing an attitude different from the past — an attitude toward—friendly relations at this new turning point.
Soon after, on September 6, I960, Japcn's new
Foreign Minister Kosalza Zentaro, paid a two-day goodwill
visit to Seoul, hoping to pave the way for a solution 32 to tie pending issues. Although nosaka stated that
he did not intend to discuss specific issues on his visit,
it was of importance to note that the visit toon place
without serious Norean protest during t—e .oricc when
Japan was holding talks with t::e NlllC. There were only
minor demonstrations in Seoul protesting nosaka's visit. 3
The visit marked the first time in fifteen years that a
Cabinet minister of Japan had visited horea; tl.e first time
that a Japanese commercial airliner had been allowed to
lend in Korea; and the first time thc.t the Japanese flag
had been flown in that country since the end of the war.
As further evidence of a change in attitude, the South
•^^The Evening Star, August 20, I960. "^^Tbi:
•^^The Washin.-ton Post. September 6, I960.
•^'^The Jaoan Times. September 7, I960.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 8 7 Korean Government released some forty Japanese fishermen
who had been held for violating the Rhee line,"^^
Kosaiia's visit was pronounced by both countries
to have been succès., ful and of "tremendous significance"
They jointly announced that both countries would trj’-
to settle various problems between themselves on the
basis of "equality and respect for sovereignty and with
a spirit of mutual understanding".
However, despite these encouraging %:ronounce.ients,
hopes for a real change in South Korea's position cn
two of the im'ortant issues were quickly dashed. On
September 17, 1560, the Admi 'istrative Yice-ni. .ister of
Foreign Affairs, Yong Shik Kim demanded the im ..ediate
suspension cf Japanese negotiations with the North Koreans
on the extension cf rep at ri:.t ion. Mi istcr Kim stated
'cuncc-d doubt
zrity at all".^ ' This, coupled
with the state:.ent on Septe-.foer 14 by the RON Foreign
Minister Cnong II Kyung that his Government's attitude
towards the Rlzee Line remained unchanged, seemingly
closed -he door on hopes for a South Korean compromise.
Japan Times, September 7, I960.
^•^The Washington Post, September 7, 19ÔC
'^Korean Republic, September 17, I960.
Japan Times, Se/.tember 14, I960.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 8 8 On the other hand, although remaining stationary
on some issues, Korea apparently does want to improve
relations i.'ith Japan in those areas where it sees direct
advantage for itself. On September 22, I960, ROK
Minister of Commerce and Industry, To Han Chu, announced
that he had asked the new head of the Korean Mission in
Tokyo, To Syup Ohm to negotiate with Japan for a large
increase in trade between the two countries. Minister Chu
stated that he hoped to increrse Korean exports to Japan
to $30,000,000 in 1961, up from an ave- age of $10,000,OCO
a year. 39 Minister Ohm also anno-onced that hi a Government
had plans for several welfare projects to help the Korean
residents in Japan. These included a S6C,000 free health
clinic, a $537,000 model school, a $40,000 information
center to be in Tokyo, and $2,000,000 in loans for 40 entemrises to be owned by Koreans.
Formal negotiations between the two countries
began again on October 25, 1961, but, at the jresent
time, agreement has not yet been reached and relations
have not been normalised. Concerning the future of
relations with the ROK, Japan continues hopeful that a 41 reasonable seotj.ement can be made. ' Because of
30 ^Korean Republic. September 23, I960.
"^°I b i d .
^^Japan Report, Vol. 7, Ko. I5 , September 30, 1959, p. 9, Foreign Minister Koseka's Foreign Policy Speech.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 8 9 ■fciie several recent changes in Korea's G-cverrunent, it is
difficult to predict what course of action, she vrill take
in her negotiations with Japan.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHÆP23R VII
CONCLUSIONS
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The underlying oasis of the difficulties that
now ezzst between Japan and Korea, including the prohlen
of the Korean minority, is the indirect result of the
overall weakness of Korea as a nation as opposed to the
strength of Japan. During the era of Japanese expansion,
Korea ceased to exist as a country and her people were
subject to Japanese rule and Japanese law. She became
an exclusive field for Japanese exploitation. The Korean
Kinority was created because of and during the time of
the Japanese exploitation of Korea. Realistically, however,
this fact has only an i-iiroct bearing on the situation
as it exists today. bhile the disparity in relative
strength :f the two countries exists today as it did
before, Japan is no longer the exploiter of the pre—World
War II period. Consequently, the solution to the problem
is not to be found by assessing end assigning degrees
of responsibility for the past.
At the end of World War II, over 2,000,000
Koreans were in Japan - either voluntarily or involuntarily -
at Japanese instigation. Any advantage that existed
for the Koreans in Japan was only because economic conditions
there were slightly less onerous than in Korea.
The end of Phe war found Japan a defeated and
occupied ccuntry. It brought Korea her liberation from
Japan. But liberation from Japan did not bring Korea
immediate independence, economic recovery or political
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stability. In. fact, liberation from Japan only resulted
in a second military occupation - two antagonists vying
to influence the development of Korea were substituted
for one enemy. In this position, Korea was faced with;
l) complete economic chaos; 2) a political vacuum, created
by Japan’s defeat; and 3) the rival ambitions of the
United States and the Union of ^hcialist Soviet Republics,
Despite these adverse conditions, there was a
possibility that Korea might have achieved economic and
political stability but the geographic division of
her country ef * cctivel:,' eliminated any chance she mi.ght
have had of benefiting from the defeat of Japan. Since
the industrial north and the agricultural south had
been interdependent, the division dealt a fatal blow
to any ho :e for Korea to become a self-sustaining country.
The division rc suited in rival governments with dia
metrically opoosite political idealogies. It resulted in
Korea bei-g used as a battleground by tl.e mwo opposing
world carps.
Conditions in both Korea end J a an - ad a definite
influence in the permetuaticn of the Korean minority.
Raced with, the choice of living in defeated Japan or
strife—ridden, baeekruut ivcrea, the minority had to make
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their decision. I-Iost ox them returned to their homeland.
But some 600,000 decided to remain in Jaoan. This latter
group must be considered as a separate element. In the
pre-1945 shears, they had occupied the position of a
conquered people subjugated and exploited and segregated
from the mainstream of the Japanese population. Japan's
surrender changed only some of these factors. Although
no longer a conquered people, mutual antagnosism remained.
Although no longer directly subjugated and exploited,
discrimination remained. Employment opportunities were
few and living sta_-.dards remained harsh and certainly
lower than those of the average Japanese. Rinally, the
Korean minority remained segregated from the Jaoanese
people. This latter aspect was tne result of their own
desire as well as from Japanese attitude. The Kaean
minority remained "unassimilable".
Immediately after World War II, the Koreans
had three choices: to return to South Korea, or North
Korea, or to remain in Japan. After the summer of 1947,
it had narrowed to two — either to return to South
Korea or to remain in Japan. Rrom the time Japan
regained her sovereignty in 1J52 until December, 1959,
for all practical purposes the Korean in Japan had no
choice - he remained in Japan. Rrom December, 1959
until November, 1961 he could choose between remaining
in Japan or going to North Korea. At the moment, he
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again has no choice - he must stay in Japan.
During the first period of repatriation, the
majority of the Koreans returned to South Korea with
only a handful going to North Korea. Roughly 25 percent
of their number chose to remain in Japan. During the
second repatriation period, only small numbers were able
to return to South Korea. Since an equal number illegally
ree—tered Js.pan from South Korea, the total nu ber of
Koreans in Japan during this period remained constant.
In the period from December, 1959 to Roveo.ber, 1961,
almost 100,000 were repatriated to North Korea. Yet,
the number of Koreans remaining in Japan still totals
nearly 600,000.
From all indications, it would seem that any
future choice for the Korean in Japan lies in the
apparently never—to—be—consummated hope t'lat Japan and
Korea will solve their differences. It would seem
unlikely that any more will be repatriated to North
Korea since all who desired to go have had had the
opportunity, and the problems arising from negotiations
with North Korea would be a drawback to their reinstitu
tion. Certainly such a move by Japan would again result
in vehement South Korean objections and would not create
a climate for RCK—Japan accord.
At the sazoe time, however, there apparently
seems to be small hope that, barring one remote possibility.
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any large group of the Korean minority will repatriate
to South Korea. This one possibility that could set
this off lies in the remote contingency that Japan and
the HOK will agree to mutually acceptable terms. Because
it is to Japanese advantage to be rid of the Korean
minority, she is apparently willin ; to pay any reasonable
premium required to achieve this end. An sxample of the
Japanese attitude is the manner in which she negotiated
and compromised with North Korea in order to ach:eve
the repatriation of 100,000 Koreans while at the same
time refusing to discuss proposals for trade with ohat
country. In this respect, it is reasonably evident that
Japan conducted herself as openhandedly and as fairly
as the circumstances warranted. As for South Korea,
there is no compelling reason for her to compromise on
her demands on this issue as it is not directly to her
advantage to have large numbers of her nationals returned
from Japan. She has no industry to support these people.
South Korea is actually gaining by postponing their return
since they would be but a drain on her economy. Obviously,
the only way in which these people could benefit Korean
economy now would be if Japan paid them a "reasonable
compensation". And unless this compencamicn was very
reasonable indeed. South Korea would not greatly benefit.
It is possible, however, for the situation of the Korean
minority to cause so many problems for the Japanese that
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she wiUL want to rid herself of the problem at any cost.
And should this occur, she would then accede to the
financial demands of South Korea.
Unless some of the above situations do occur,
however, it is unlikely that agreement on the future of
the minority will be reached. Of necessity then, the
Koreans will remain in Japan under the same conditions
as previously experienced by them. Because there is
little chance of their assimilation, the future for these
people is not too optimistic.
In the final analysis, the removal of no one
factor of the problem would prove to be a panacea.
Bven if Japan and Korea were in complete agreement,
it is doubtful whether all or even a majority of the
Koreans in Japan wou_d return to South Korea. Since it
is doubtful under present political circumstances that
Japan would force these people to return, it is apparent
that Japan will have to cope with the Korean minority
for some time to come.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 9 6
SUPPLBI.!31-:T
On Hay 26, 1962 the following Associated Press
release appeared in The Washington Post:
TOKYO, Hay 25, (AP) Japan has refused a North Korean request to continue repatriation of Koreans for one more year when the current agreement expires Nov. 12. The foreign ministry gave two reasons - the number of Koreans gathering at the repatriation center has been decreasing, and Koreans can get to North Korea on an individual basis if they want to. So far, 75,472 Korean residents of Japan have gone to North Korea under a repatriation program which started in 1959* Another 29,609 have applied to go.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the Associated
Press release was correct and that a non-publicized
repatriation of Koreans from Japan had been carried on
since the expiration date of November 12, 1961. This
fact was verified by Hr. Lee Garrett, an Associated
Press representative, through its Tokyo b'ureau.
Hr. Kuroiwa, the Japanese Information Officer
at the Japanese Embassy, Washington, L.C., was unable
or unwilling to provide any further information on the
extension of the repatriation agreement nor could he
resolve the discrepancy in the number of repatriates.
Hr. Kuroiwa stated that he had no further information
at the Embassy.
Hr. Kim, of the Korean Embassy, ad.vised that
the Koreans were aware of the fact of the continued
repatriation of their nationals to North Korea but
stated that the Embassy had no detailed information.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 9 7
This writer then queried the representatives of
several Japanese newspapers which maintain offices in
Washington and received further confirmation of the
Associated Press release as it appeared in The Washington
Post. Hr. I-Iaeda, of the Asahi Shimoun, translated an
item of Hay 25 from this newspaper substantially reiterating
the information given in the Associated Press release.
Hr. Thayer, a State Department Officer of the Par East
Section was also contacted. He, too, verified that
Koreans were currently leaving Japan for North Korea
and disclosed that the United States' official policy
had been to "approach the problem diplomatically and to
show no concern with it".
Letters were then written to various Red Cross
officials and to the Ministry of foreign Affairs in Japan
concerning specific information on the extension of the
program. Ko reply was received from the Ministry but
on June 19, 1962 an answer was received from Mr. Risaburo
Ziuchi, Research Director of foreign Affairs Department,
Japanese Red Cross Society, stating that:
1) The Accord on Repatriation of Koreans residing in Japan, signed by the Japanese Red Cross Society and the North Korean Red Cross Society was extended for a second time on July 31, 1961 to expire November 12, 1962, without any changes in its terms.
2) Since the beginning of repatriation operation in December, 1959 until the 9th of June, 1 9 6 2, number of persons who left Japan for North Korea, including Koreans and other nationalities is: 7 6 ,4 7 7 (by 94 voyages of ships).
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 9 8
A second reply received from the Intem.ation.al
Red Cross in Geneva reiterated the information received
frcm Mr. Kiuchi and added further th-t "about 20,000
persons have registered for subsequent departures, but
it is not known how many of these will in fact leave . . . . "
Copies of the two letters appear in the Appendix.
It is therefore clear that the Japanese and the
North Korean Red Cross Societies did, in fact, extend the
repatriation agreement but that the Japanese Government
did not give it publicity nor, apparently, did the South
Korean authorities. It would appear thf.t the Japanese
were reticent in publishing these facts, evidently hoping
to avoid a South Korean outcry but obviously they were
not yet willing to forego this partial solution to their
Korean minority przbT.em by stopping the repatriation
as long as some Koreans in Japan desired to leave for
North Korea. further, it would seem that Japan's sole
reason for announcing that she will not negotiate for
renewal of the repatriation program when it does expire
on November 12, 1962 - if indeed she does not i-hen this
time passes - is because there are not enough Koreans
remaining who want to go to North Korea. It is apparent
from the statement released to the press that Japan will
not prevent Koreans from making private arrangements
to leave the country. Japan might be described as acting
in the open to improve the atmosphere of her relations
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 9 9
with, the ROZ, however, acting quietly at the same time to
alleviate a long festering national problem.
The surprising fact is the RûZ's failure to
lodge a public protest in the matter and her seeming
attitude of disinterest. Evidently, they, too, are
anxious to be on better terms with Japan end have decided
not to force the issue. further. South Korean internal
conditions have not improved within the past year end
they are in no better position to handle any returnees.
Perhaps the main reason for the lack of active protest
and the adoption of this new attitude towards Japanese
action might lie in the fact that the new ROZ Government
has changed Korea’s policy towards Jaoan. One at least
can speculate, however, on how much the removal of President
Hhee from power has h^d to do with any change that has
taken olace in South Korean attitude.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. b i k l i o g -r a e h t
A. BIBLIOGEAPEIBS
Bibliography of Asian Studies. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Journal of Asian Studies, 1959.
Sort on, Sugh, and. others. A Selected List of Books and Arts on Japan. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1954.
Hall, John W. Japanese History: A Guide to Japanese Reference and Research Materials. A m Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1954.
Kigashiuchi, Yoshio. Literature on Contemporary Japan. Tokyo, 1951.
Ike, Nobutaka. The Hoover Institution Collection on Japan. Palo Alto: Stanford University Press, 1958.
Jones, Helen D. and Robin L. Winkler. Korea; An Annp-fcatecL Bibliography of Publications in Western Languages. Washington, B.C.: Library of Congress, August, 1950.
HcCune, Shannon. Western Language Materials on Korea. New York: Institute of Pacific Relations, 1950.
Nachod, Oskar. Bibliography of the Japanese Empire. 1906-1926. 2 vols. London: Edward Goldston, 1928.
Pritchard, Earl H. Bulletin of Far Eastern Bibliography. 1 9 5 6-1 9 4 0 . Washington, B.C. : Committees on Par Eastern Studies of the American Council of Learned Societies, 1946.
3. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS
Conover, Helen P. Non—Self Governing Areas. 2 vols. United States Library of Congress. Washington, 1947.
Consulate General of Japan. Japan Report. New York: 235 East 42nd Street, Informât ion Office.
Gane, William J. Military Government in Korea. United States Army Headquarters, Poreign Affairs Section, Seoul.
Republic of Korea. The Korean Problem. Seoul: The Ministry of Poreign Affairs, 1959.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Republic of Korea. Korea and Jaoan. Seoul: Office of Public Information, 1954.
Stalbeim, Nels W. and J. P. Suagee. The Impact of the War and Japanese Imperialism upon the Economy Political Rehabilitation of Korea. United States Department of the Army. Washington, January, 1947.
Tackley, Margaret E. and John Miller, Jr. , and Owen J. Carroll, Major, USA. Korea. 1951-1955. United States Department of the Army, Office of the Chief of Military History. Washington, 1956.
Supreme Commander for Allied Powers. Directives to the Japanese Government. (Library of Congress No. J674.N24)
. Catalog of Directives to the Japanese Govemm<»n-fc - SCAPINS. (Library of Congress No. J674.N243.)
. Catalog of Directives (Administrative) to the Japanese Gover^ent — SCAPIN-A's. (LÏbrfiû^ofCongress No. J674.N244.)
. Index of SCAP Directives. (Library of Congress No. D802.J3S8.)
Catalog of SCAP Directives. (Library of Congress No. Z5506.S8.j
. Summation. 15 vols. (Library of Congress No. D802.J5A3.}
. Selected Data. (Library of Congress No. D802.J3SS4.)
. Press Translations. 4 vols. (Library of Congress No. DSS89.A32. jl
. Natural Resources Section. (Library of Congress No. HC461.S8.)
. Administration of Japanese Mining Industry. Report No. 6. (Library of Congress No. HC461.S8.;
. Basic Problems of Coal Mining Industry. Report No. 3.
. Press Translations. (Library of Congress No. DS301.88.)
United States Army Military Government in Korea. South Korean Interim Government Activities. Seoul, 1947 and 1948.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. United States Department of the Army. Report on the Economic Position and Prospects of Japan and Korea. Public Information Division, Report of the Johnston Committee. Washington, 1948.
United States Congress. Korean Aid Hearinvs. Committee on Poreign Affairs. 81st Congress, 1949.
United States Department of State. Korea, 1945—1948: A renort on Political Developments and Economic Resources with Selected Documents. Washington, 1948.
United States Department of State. Korea's Independence. Publication 2935» Par Eastern Series 8. Washington,
United States Embassy. Daily Translations of Newspapers in Seoul. 1950. (Library of Congress No. DS901.U6.)
United States Embassy. Japanese Newspaper Abstracts. Library of Congress No. DS801.U5.) 1950.
. Japanese Periodicals Abstracts. (Library of Congress No. AI19.J3U5.)
C. NEWSPAPERS
Asahi Shimbun. Tokyo. Translations of various dates.
Korean Republic. Seoul. April, 1959-December, I960 and subsequent single issues.
Korea Times, Seoul.
Sunday Call—Chronicle. Allentown, Pennsylvania. December 27,1959,
The New York Times, New York. Various issues.
The Japan Times. Tokyo. Piles for 1956, 1958, April, 1959- Deeember, I960 and subsequent single issues.
The Times-Picayune, New Orleans. Various issues.
The Washington Evening Star. Washington, D.C, Various issues.
The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. Various issues.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. D. PERIODICALS
America.» America Press, 920 Broadway, New York. Issue of îlarcii, 1959.
The Atlantic. Atlantic Monthly Co., 8 Arlington St., Boston. March, 1922 issue.
Economist. Economist Newspaper, Ltd. , 22 Ryder St. , St. James', SHI, London. Various issues.
Far Eastern Survey. American Institute of Pacific Relations, Inc., 333 Sixth Ave. , New York. Various issues.
Intemational Affairs. Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, St. James' Square, SWl, London. Various issues.
International Labour Review. International 3jabo\zr Office, 917 15th St., NW, Washington, D.C. Vol. 22, 1946.
Japan Magazine. Japan Magazine Co., Tokyo. 1919 and 1920.
Japetn Quarterly. Asahi-Shimoun-sha, Tokyo. 1959 and I960.
Japan Year Book. Tokyo. Various years.
Korea. Published monthly at Pyongyang. Numbers 43 t h r o u ^ 57 with the exception of nxambers 51 and 53*
Korea News. Published trimonthly by the Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang. Numbers 1—14 excepting numbers 10,11, and 12.
Korea Today. Published monthly at Pyongyang. Nos. 50, 55, and 53.
Korean Survey. Korean Pacific Press, Washington, D.C. Various issues.
ZoreATiA Quarterly. International Research Center, Seoul. Autumn, 1959.
The Nation. Nation Associates, Inc., 333 Sixth Ave., New York. November, 1955*
Newsweek. Newsweek, 444 Madison Ave., New York. December, 1959*
Pacific Affairs* Institute of Pacific Relations, 1407 Sherwood Ave., Richmond. September, 1949*
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Soviet Press Tractsla.tione» Par Eastern Institute of Washington (Seattle). 1948.
Time. Time, 540 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. October «-nd December, 1959.
Vital Speeches of the Day. City News Publishing Co., Inc. 33 W. 42nd St., New York. April, I960.
Voice of Korea. Korean Affairs Institute, 1507 M St., NW, Washington, D.C. Various.
World Today. Oxford University Press, Press Hoad, Neasden, London NW. 1954, Vols. 10.11, and 12.
E. BOOKS
Bert on, Hugh. Japan's Modem Century. New York: The Ronald Press Co., 1955.
Byrnes, James P. Speaking Frankly. New York: Harpers and Brothers, 1947.
Clyde, Paul H. The Par East. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., Second Edition, 1952.
Conroy, Prancis H. The Japanese Seizure of Korea. 1868—1910. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, I960,
Korea — Its Land. People and Culture of A~n Ages. Seoul: Hakwon-sa, I960.
Latourette, Kenneth Scott. The American Record in the Par East. 1945-1951. New York: The lyiacMillan Co. , 1952.
Moore, Harriet L. Soviet Far Eastern Policy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1945.
McCune, G. M. and A. L. Grey. Korea Today. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1950.
Nam, Ch'ang-u, Japanese Penetration of Korea. Palo Alto: Stanford University Hoover Institution, 1959.
Oliver, Robert T. Syngman Rhee. New York: Dodd Mead and Co., 1954.
Reischauer, Edwin 0. Japan. Past and Present. New York: Alfred A. Khopf, Second Edition, 1954»
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Sosinger, L. K. and Associates. The State of Asia: Contemporary Survey. New York; Alfred A. Khopf, 1951.
Vlnacke, Harold M, A History of the Far East in Modem Times. New York: Appleton-Century—Crofts, Inc., Fifth Edition, 1950.
. Ear Eastern Politics in the Postwar Period. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 1959.
Van Aduard, Baron E. J. Lewe. Japan from Surrender to Peace. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1954.
Wagner, Edward W. The Korean Minority in Janan. 1904- 1950. New York: International Secretariat, Institute of Pacific Relations, 1951.
Weems, Clarence N. Korea. Dilemma of the Underdeveloped Country. New York: Foreign Policy Association, World Affairs Center, I960.
F. lilSCELLANEOUS
Appeal of the Japanese Fishing People. Tokyo: Japan- Korea Fishery Headquarters, Harunouchi Building, 1953*
Rhee, Syngman. Speeches delivered at the Anniversary of the 1919 Passive Resistance on March 1, 1959 and March 1, I960 in Seoul.
This We Contend. Seoul: Korean Bar Association, 1959. Pamphlet on the fisheries problem.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. APPSinDIX I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. KOREANS IN JAPAN BY PREFECTURE
IN NCVEÎ-IBER, 1945
Prefecture Number Prefecture Number Hokkaido 140,000 Fukui 35,000 Aomori 6,000 Yamanashi 14,000 Iwate 230,000 Nagano 25,000 Miyagi 190,000 Kihu 28,000 Akita 120,000 Shizuoka 31,000 Yamagata 160,000 Aichi 65,000 Fukushima 320,000 Mie 43,000 Tochigi 160,000 Miyazaki 15,000 Shiga 22,000 Okayama 35,000 Kyoto 76,000 Hiroshima 60,000 Osaka 320,000 Yamaguchi 15,000 Hyogo 130,000 (at Shimonoseki) 20,000 Nara 22,000 (at Sensaki) 10,000 Wakayama 30,000 Tokushima 28,000 Tottori 15,000 Kagawa 8,000 Shimane 25,000 Ehime 23,000 Gumba 4,000 Koku 75,000 Saitama 13,000 Fukuoka 190,000 Chiba 16,000 (at Hakata) 20,000 Tokyo 90,000 Saga 35,000 Kanagawa 75,000 Miyazaki 95,000 Niigata 15,000 Oita 32,000 Toyama 26,000 Kumamoto 28,000 Ishikawa 16,000 Kagoshima 20,000
TOTAL - 2,400,000
SOURCE: William J. Gane Military Government in Korea Headquarters, U.S. Army, Foreign Affairs Section, Seoul
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NATIONALITIES OP PORBIONERS IN JAPAN (as of March. 31, 1959)
Nationality Number Nationality Number
North and South Koreans 613,811 Spanish 378 Chinese 44,988 Dutch 362 Americans 10,192 Portuguese 342 English 1,618 Swiss 340 Germans 1,252 Indone sians 304 Canadians 1,183 Austz*alians 259 Indians 676 Swedish 258 French 609 Brazilians 245 Italians 419 Others 2,746 Filipinos 382
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION IN PRINCIPAL PREPSCTURES Prefecture Total Foreign Population Percentage
Osaka 142,795 20.99 Tokyo 82,354 12.10 Hyogo 67,870 9.98 Aichi 42,145 6.19 Fukuoka 35,805 5.26 Kanagawa 32,829 4.83 Yamaguchi 28,612 4.21
FOREIGN POPULATION REGISTERED IN MAJOR CITIES
City Number City Number
Osaka 105,453 Kobe 30,800 Tokyo 73,670 Nagoya 19,601 Kyoto 32,583 Yokohama 16,594
At the end of March, 1959 there were 630,364 registered (permanent) foreign nationals in Japan from 67 countries. 96.83 per cent of the foreign residents are Koreans and Chinese, a majority of whom have either lived in Japan prior to the war or were horn in Japan. . . . The rate of increase in the population of foreigners in Japan aversiges about 10,000 persons anually. More than 55 per cent registered foreigners reside in Osaka, Hyogo, Aichi, Kyoto and Tokyo prefectures, indicating their preferences for the urban areas. At the same time, foreigners can be found living in some 3,852 of the 4,142 cities, towns and villages of Japan, with 278,601 (45.7^) concentrated in the six major cities of Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya end Yokohama. SOURCE: Japan Report. Vol. 5, No. 19, October 5, 1959
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. T p y ^ m a s L
Am at Ammay, IW l, t b w vtre ftwrrtpiw In n naWonaUtt—. tte VBamtitg chart staovs tha brm hkam by
NBttanslliy Nhmber of Rssidsats Percentage of TPtal
K orea 680,207 89 China 45,505 7 United States 11,536 2 United 1,726 ) Germany 1.828 ) Canada 1,196 ) b d ia 756 ) 2 F rance 626 ) Stateless 623 ) Odxers 5,933 )
The preponderance of Korean and Chinese nationals is due to the fact A at Koreans and Taiwanese who were Japanese nationals p rio r to Jinan's defeat have remained in Japan without their status being fixed by law and are therefore classified as foreigners. As can be seen from the chart over 96 per cent of the foreigners in Ja^san belong to this9 .gro<
Among the tendoicles which emerge from the pattern of residency of foreigners in Japan, it is found that the Koreans and Chinese live in Japan fo r a wide variety of reasons and their residence is for comparatively long periods of tim e. In the case of other residents such as Americans, they generally come to Japan fo r q>ecific reasons such as for m issionary work or business, and they return to their homeland after a specified period of tim e.
Of the total foreign population, 294,226 live in the six m ajor cities of Japan.
T cA yo 84,849 K y o to 32,000 Y okoham a 16,817 O saka 108,481 N agoya 20,312 K obe 3 1,7 6 7
A study of the distribution of foreign residents by prefectures shows that Osaka Prefecture (Osaka C ity include*^ leads w ith 22.6 per cent of the total population, followed by Tokyo M etropolitan Prefecture with 13.07 per cent, Hyogo Prefecture (including Kobe) with 10.4 per cent, Aichi Prefecture (including Nagoya) with 6.54 per cent, Kyoto Prefecture (including Kyoto City) with 6.17 per cent and Kanagawa Prefecture (including Ytdcohama) with 5.07 per cent. These six d istricts account fo r 63.85 per cent of the total foreign population in Japan.
Forty five per cent of the Koreans residing in Japan are dom iciled in the K inki area around Ifyoto, Osaka and Kobe, while the provinces closest to the Korean peninsula, namely, Yamaguchi, (Noyama, Fukuoka and Nagasaki account fo r 15 to 20 per cent. The rem ainder are distributed over the northern prefectures.
The distribution of Chinese residents follows the pattern of distribution of foreigners other than Koreans, and they are concentrated in the Tokyo-Yokohama and Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe areas. Forty-two per cent or 19,217 Chinese residents live in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area and 35 per cent or 16,107 Chinese reside in the Tokyo-Yokohama district. A sim ilar distribution pattern can be seen in the case of residents of other nationalities. Taking the American residents as an ezanqtle, 6,613 Americans out of the total of 11,526, or over 57 per cent, liveTckjo- in the Xpkohama area and 1,416 or 12 per cent in Ae Kyoto^Osaka-Kobe area - which means that 69 per cent or alm ost seven tenths of the Americans in Japan live in these two districts. ~ o O o ~ SüUHCKï Ja-pan Ke-;or-t. Vol. VII, N o . 1 0 , June l b , 190l
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Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. OCCUPATIONAL COKPOSITION OP POPULATION IN KOREA Indus'txy Commerce an.d Public and lear Agriculture and Mining Communications Professional 1926 83.1 2.2 6.1 2.3 1930 80.5 2.3 6.4 2.6 1934 78.6 2.4 6.5 3.1 1938 75.6 3.9 7.4 2.9 1944 71.1 11.7 8.5 2.9
SOURCE: Korean Economic Mission Department of State, June, 1947
EDUCATIONAL STATUS OP POPULATION IN KOREA IN 1944
Level Number
Graduate Students 7,374 College Graduates 22,064 Middle School Graduates 199,642 Junior High School 49,942 Graduates National Primary School 1,637,042 Attending National Primary School 254,805 Literate but self-taught (No formal schooling) 980,122 Uneducated (No formal schooling) 19,642,775 SOURCE; Results of 1944 Census, Chosen Governor-General, May, 1944
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Dlstrlbutlaa of Ebreaa BeBldante In Japan, by Occupation, I5A 8
Occupation Humber of Percent of residents total
In labor force 245,042 41.7
Agriculture 4 ,2 3 8 0.7 Forestry 5,4 5 0 0.9 Fishing 414 a/ Mining 3,612 0.6 Manufacturing Technician 2 ,5 5 1 0.4 General worker 148,914 2 5 .4 Transportation & comaunlcatlon 8,5 2 5 1-5 Other workers 11,353 1.9 Trade 41,440 7 .1 Business operator or manager 4 ,7 2 6 0.8 Goveriunent, b / 1,4 5 8 0.2 Professional 2,6 9 7 0 .5 General clerical 9,664 1.7
Hot in labor force 3 43,12 8 5 8 .3
Living on property income c/ 17,380 3 .0 Students and pupils 6 5,932 11.2 Others d/ 2 50,31 6 44.1
Total 588,170 100.0
a/ Leas than O.5 percent, b/ Includes school teachers- c/ Data appear high; the scope of this category is not known, d/ This category nay Include some unemployed. Other unemployed may *” be listed under their occupation when employed.
95 -
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Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. SOUECBl Sdvafd W. Vagner jBte tôfean Minority in Jap* 1904-1950. Yoltnae of Korean Bepatriation, 19^5 - 19^9
Repatriation Koreans Controlled Uncontrolled a/ in Japan
Status as of March 19^5 2,400,000 a/
Mar - 15 Aug 45 400,000
1st Period 15 Aug - 30 Nov 45 275,000 b/ 550,000
2nd Period 1 Dec 45 - 30 Apr 46 469,511 50 ,000 1 May 46 - 30 Dec 46 54,634 £/
3rd Period 1 Jan^7 - 30 Oct 4? 7,551 1 Nov 47 - 31 Aug 48 5 ,0 0 6
4th Period 1 Sep 46 - 31 Dec 49 6 ,55c £/ Total 813,292 1,000,ooc
Status as of November 1948 611,758 d/
a/ Estimated. Both SC A? and USAMGIK underestimated the number of Koreans In Japan at the end of the war, and failed to take Into consideration the extent of the uncontrolled population movement. Official count did not begin until 1 October I9 4 5, although SCA? estimated that 150,000 had crossed, controlled and uncontrolled, prior to that time. SOAP and Japanese Government repatriation figure was $45,420 as of 30 April 1950 . USAMGIK fLxal figure was 1,115,550 as of 3I August 1946. Republic of Korea revised figure as of 3I December 1949 was 1,414,256. b/ Estimated from official sources. c / Negligible uncontrolled movement during this period, d/ Does not correspond exactly to total derived by subtraction because of estimated nature of status as of March 1945 and of uncontrolled movement. SOURCE: Controlled movement USAMGIK, South Korea Interim Government Activities SCAP, S^iTmrwtlon of Non-Mllltary Activities In Japan Republic■of Korea, Statistical Summation Status as of March 1945. League of Koreans Residing In Japan, cited In USAMGIK, Repatriation, Seoul, Korea, 1946, p. 14. Status as of November 1946, Japanese Government, Attorney-General’s Office, Civil Affairs Bureau, cited In Nippon Times, March 9, 1949, P. 4.
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Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CROSS soam r mm b e d c # o s s C 6 m - M RIEE OF THE OSM OGKAIIC FEC W if^ BE- PUBLIC W KCHEEA BEGABKN6 1HE TM UN. TABT BEPATBIATION OF KOBEAMS IN JAPAN OTapaaeae FOfai^ Miniitzr trandttloo] With a view to realizing the repatriation of Eoreass in Japan by their freely expressed will bpsed on ' d o m of choice of residence and the princi]^ei , Cross, the Japanese Red Croas Society and ' Committee of the Democratic People's _ agree as follows: i A a o a a l Returnees shall be X sarita* ta Jipaa,I b e M I I ^K o re a n s who have acquiredta #*taa atatanHta. who wish re-
ing mtaon ladhr a#a, ta# 4nH#m oi the r m m m «h e <^ t a g | M t a ( M pawar or «f tai.yrd iaas ta#B peas*#. J B » i s whose exit is eta eataortasd u n d w tas isieaa#* tasss asta vsgslsHnet of Japan tad be ezchtasd tawn returnees. Aancix 2 1. Persons who wish repatriation shall submit applica tions in the form set by the Japanese Red Cross Society directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society in person, and shall go through necessary procedures for repatriation. Aj^lications «hall be based on free will, and «hall meet the requirements provided for in this Agreement. Z In case requests are received from those persons who submitted applications for repatriation, that they will not return for personal reasons, the Japanese Red Cross Society shall dispose such requests. The alteration of the will to return shall be permitted until a certain time before embarkation. Aancue 3 ' 1. The Japanese Red Cross Society shall organize a system for registering persons who wish to return. This registration system shall be made of the present organi zation of the Japanese Red Cross Society with necessary reinforcements, and shall be operated by it. 2. The Japanese Red Cross Society shall request the International Committee of the Red Cross to take such measures as the latter deems necessary and appropriate to ensure that the organization and operation of the sys tem for registering persons wishing to return be fair, impartial and in conformity with the humanitarian prin ciples. The measures referred to above shall be as follows: a) The Japanese Red Cross Society shall request the International Committee of the Red Cross to give advice when the former organizes the system for registering per sons wishing to return. b) The Japanese Red Cross Society shall request the International Committee of the Red Cross to ascertain whether the operation of the registration system referred to above is proper or not. c) The Japanese Red Cross Society shall request the International Committee to give necessary advice on the operation of the regisUatkm system referred to above. 3. The Japanese Red Croas Society shall request the International Committee of the Red Cross to make public throu^ radio broadcasts that this Agreement is in con formity with humanitarian spirit and the priaei^es ot the Red Cross. A bstclx 4 "Die delivery aird reception of the persons wh o have completed the procedures for repatriation shall he made between the representatives of the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Red Cross Committee of the Democratic Regie's Republic of Korea at the port of emharication. The delivery and reception referredto in the p re c e d in g # a n m t a taalLoom nlete h r tan *»«»*»«— o f the lis t Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. of retuTiMMs «ad the Ammëtae'taexwilf. ' "
1. Vessels for thereturn Amll be provided by the Korean side at its expense.The matters to be observed by such vessels shall be provided for in the Annex. 2. The Japanese side shall designate the port of Niigata as port of embarkation, and the Korean aide shall desig nate Najin, Chongjin and Hungnam as ports of disem barkation. 3. The matters concerning the dispatch of vessels for the return shall be decided on the basis of the number of persons wishing to return and the preparation of the dispatch of vessels. It is planned that such persons shall be assembled at intervals of about seven days, and approxi mately one thousand of them shall be assembled each time. According to the increase or decrease of the number of such persons, however, proper alterations shall be made through consultations between the Red Cross organizations of Japan and Korea. 4. In case it becomes necessary in view of the number of persons wishing to return, such measures as are re quired for the enlargement and increase of the facilities and transportation shall be taken through consultations between the Red Cross organizations of Japan and Korea. 5. The first repatriation vessel for returnees shall sail from the port of embarkation within three months from the date of coming into force of this Agreement con cluded between the Red Cross organizations of Japan and Korea. 6. The Japanese Red Cross Society shall, each time in advance, notify the Red Cross Committee of the Demo cratic People’s Republic of Korea of the approximate number of persons wishing to return, the designated port and the date of the arrival of repatriation vessel at the designated port. 3
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Xadx v«nel far the rctom taiaH arrive a t'Oie detatasiatod port on a # daalgnated date noühd undar the preceding pcragr^ih. It may be changed, however, thrcogh con sultations between the two Bed Cross Sodetiea, in case there arise circumstances beyond control sudi as the weather conditions, etc. 7. The Japanese side shall furnishmxpplia to, and Tnaintain mTnTwiiniratifina w ith SUCh VCSSels, and afford other necessary facilities as well as cooperation. The expenses thereforshall b e borne b y the Korean side. Axiicuc 6 1. The Japanese Red Cross Society shall afford the fol lowing facilities to returnees in a manner prescribed by it: a) Expenses for transportation and meals, frei^t for goods up to 60 kilograms per person, and diarges for first-aid to be incurred during the time between the departure from present residences and arrival at the port of embarkation shall be paid. b) Accommodation, meals, first-aid and transportation during the time between the arrival at the port of e m barkation and embarkation shall be provided. 2. Returnees m a y take with them up to 45,000 yen in Japanese currency, in the form of a check in pound ster ling. A n y person w h o is in possession of Japanese currency in excess of the above m a x i m u m shall deposit such an excess in the bank in his name, on which he shall be per mitted to draw under the relevant laws and regulations of Japan if he applies therefor at a later date. In case such person intends to use it in Japan for his o w n pur poses, he shall be permitted to draw on it in the Japanese currency under the relevant laws and regulations of Japan. Securities, including shares and public bonds, or deposit passbooks shall not be taken. 3. Items that m a y be taken hom e by a returnee shall be his personal effects required for the travel, household articles required for his or his family’s use and profes sional instruments required for his o w n use in pursuing his vocation. Items on thf export of which an embargo Is placed under the relevant laws and regulations of Japan and items the possession of which is illegal under the same laws and regulations shall not be taken home. 4. N o customs duties shall be imposed on any property carried ho m e by returnees. 5. The Japanese side shall continue to recognize law ful titles of a returnee to his properties which he cannot take home under unavoidable circumstances. 6. The Korean side shall pay all the expenses incurred after the embarkation of returnees, such as those for transportation, meals and accommodation, and shall pro vide medical and surgical services free. It shall also guarantee all requisites for the stabilization of the living of returnees after their arrival, such as their hnu.«ing. employment and education.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ,1,9 The representatives of tiw Bed Cross Committee of the Democratic People’s Bepoblic of Korea shall board each repatriation vessel, and such representatives shall stay within the port area during the time their repatria tion vessel is in harbor, to engage in the reception of returnees and liaison and in giving cooperation and assis tance to returnees in connection with their repatriation. A jciicle 8 1. The Japanese R e d Cross Society shall ma k e effort as far as possible, to ma k e the contents of this Agreement and the procedures for repatriation, etc. kn o w n to Koreans in Japan through press and news propagating media. 2. To the persons among returnees w h o wish to settle their nationality problems, necessary cooperation shall be afforded by the Red Cross organizations of Japan and Korea. 3. The communications required for the implementa tion of this Agreement m a y be m a d e through telegraphy, mail or at the designated port between the representatives of the two Red Cross Societies. A rticle 9 This Agreement shall be valid for one year and three months after its signature. However, in case it is recog nized that the repatriation works cannot be completed during this period, it m a y be renewed through consulta tions between the Red Cross organizations of Japan and Korea, as it is or with necessary amendments. Done at Calcutta on August 13, 1959, in duplicate in the Japanese and Korean languages, both equally authentic.
For the Japanese Red Cross Society: (signed) Yoskisuke Kasai
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Fur Ihr Kud Cross (’omniittce of the Demucrfitif People's Republic of Korea: (Signed) Li Ii. K yl'ng ANNEX I, Each repatriation vessel shall sail straight from the port of departure and shall arrive at the port of Niigata on the date designated by the Japanese Red Cross Society. ;; Each repatriation vessel shall wire to the Japanese Red Cross Society, three days in advance of the date of its an ival designated by the Japanese Red Cross Socjety, the name of the port of departure, the expected date and hour of departure, the type and name of the vessel, the call sign, the frequency used, the gross tonnage, the draft, the cruising speed, the capacity for returnees, the name of master, the number of crew and their nationality or nationalities and the number of passengers other that the crew and their nationality or nationalities. 3. Each repatriation vessel shall go through the pro cedures regarding entrv and clearance through the inter mediary of an agency (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘the agency”) arranged for by the Japanese Red Cross Society. 4. Each repatriation vessel shall, immediately after its departure from port, notify the Agency by wire thereof, as well as of the expected date and hour of its entry into port. It shall further notify the latter, six hours in advance of its arrival, of its location and whether there has been any sick persons during the voyage. The coast station with which such vessel is to com municate shall be Niigata Station, call sign: JKP, fre quency: 438 kilocycles. 5. Each repatriation vessel shall stop at the anchorage for quarantine of the Port of Niigata (near a point at lat. 37'58' N. and long. 139”03.5' E.), and shall undergo the inspection by the competent Japanese Government authorities. Thereafter, it shall enter the port under pilotage and lie at anchor at the designated ;, Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. lug 1111)1111 II s lu 1111' i.'linpi'U'm . .jiipiU i'M ' .lu itiiirii 11'^ M iau b(’ Japaneso or English. 8. The- foltiiwiiig paptT.s shall h<- .sui'i.allcc! or pre sented by each repafrialinn ve.s.sel up<’i; entering port: Report nf entry: 4 copies Maritime declaration of heal'ii: 1 copy Crew li.st: 3 Copies Passenger list: 3 rnpie-; List of .ship’s es: 1 copy List of consignments' 1 copy Deratting certificate or derattiiig exemption oertilicato: to be presented for inspection International ccrliiicato of vaccination or revaccination: to be presented for inspection, n. The following papers shall be submitted by each repatriation vessel before departure from port: Report of departure: 4 copies Crew list; I copy Passenger li.st: 1 copy (excluding the list of returnees) 10. Each repatriation vccspl shall I'ay in foi-i'icn ex citance 1" ’ 1 11*1 ' ' O' ' ' ; ' Cl ,'S. ’ " 'h e ' .tC ' iiri'Scrit^cci Ijj .10)1' It shall deposit the agency with a foreign exchange bill for 7,000 U.S. d-.hsrs m 2,.500 pounds sterling not later than three days prior to its arrival. If there arises any deficit in such deposit, a fresh deposit shall be made. In this case, the agency should make, upon con.sulta- tion with the repatriation vessel, such an arrangement as would enable such vessel to receive necessary amount at any time. 11. Such ve.ssels .-.hull ob.servc thi .Lipancsc laws and regul.ation.s and further follo-.i 'he iiotrorti* m.s h\ 'die competent Japanese agcm-y m * an y mg "til ih.c tran.s- portalion of returnees. THE VOICE OF KOREA PtmUStrSi'.D MONTHI.V 3 V THE KOREAN AFEAIRS INSTITUTK, INC Yongieung Kim. Président: Harry S. Kim, Vice-President; Warren Y. Kim, Secretary: C. Ho Kjm, Treasurer: Dorothy Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. APPSiraiZ VI Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Ar-IERICAN OCCUPATION POLICY TOWARDS TNS NGREAI-T I-ilNORITY Alth-ough not a direct factor in influencing the specific prohlem posed, it is appropriate to add further information on and to discuss the American Occupation Policy towrrds the Norean minority which is not included in the body of the thesis. The Korean minority created many unexpected and annoying problems for the Occupation forces. largely, this may be attributed to the fact that SCAP was not prepared lor the problems presented by this minority in Japan as it was assumed that tne Koreans would quickly return to their homeland when given the opportunity. As a result, no basic policy had been formulated. Therefore, as difficulties with the minority developed, each separate office acted independently and decisions were made on a day to day basis without consideration of a consistent or organised policy in dealing with the Koreans. In the beginning of the Occupation, SCA? 's attitude towards the Koreans was a sympathetic one i_. view of the fact that the I.ore ans constituted a group whic'a had been an oppressed segment of the population. Sarly oCA? directives freed ahem from the legal repression and discrimination which they had suffered under the Japanese.^ SCAB decreed that Koreans electing tc remain SZAIBUi 95, Kern oval of Restrictions on Political, Civil and Religious liberties", October 4, 1945; end SCAPIK 5 6 0 , "Employment Policies", November 25, 1945, which directed the Japanese G-ovemoent to "insure that no discrimination (in emplojmoent: policies) will be exercised . . . against any worker by reason of nationality, creed Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. in Japan ce offered tie sane rights of employment as J.-'oenese ..aricn.c Is in c : wearable circumstances as well as e:v-ending to them the right of emplo-rment by the Cccuoation forces withers iiscriminaticn. Specifically, t ;c iooupaticn forces iid employ o: few Koreans as interpreters, end tr-aislarcrs acj.rii.i_ the;.-, the privileges of other foreign nationals co.ch as Arz.oy iocc, billet space, etc., A--SO, Korean property wa.o not ^rd inarily requisitioned for PCcm -ation use. nater SCfK directives provided that Koreai'-s -anacle mo work wco.ld be eligible without discrimina tion for relief in one form of supplies, food, clothing, tnax the Koreans be placed on nice se namioi.al in all major areas ■of economic n:c sc-'-i.-K. _ife, SGAr, at the same time, accorded a privileged position to the Koreans in other areas, r,or"-_ oularly in their position before Japanese courts. In sc ..c- anctanoes this served to place the Korean beyonm : re me ■. : f Japanese law. Conc'irrently, however, ec'.d i.i ;•-.-pram h .ti.cn tc t'..e basic policy of the Occupation ^OCAfl.. 404, "Relief and Welfare Plans", December S, 1 SCi_?ll '.''75, "Public Assistance", Pebraary 27, 1Ç46. CAPuf 757, "Revier of Sentences Imposed Upon cr=.'nps and Certain Other Nationals", February 19, 1946, leo sentences imposed by Japanese Criminal Co'ur'ts upon Koreans . . . who furnish adequate proof of their intention to return to Korea . . . shall be subject tc rep'iev.' and further action by the Supreme Commander for Allied Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Forces that the Koreans were to be considered separate and apart from Japanese nationals, SCAP issued directives which legally lumped the Koreans with the Japanese. Examples are the SCAP directives which allowed the Japanese Diet to pass legislation making Koreans liable for paying the Capital Levy Tax and Income Taxes on an equal basis with Japanese nationals but excluding a~! 1 other foreign nationals with the exception of Formosans and Hykyuans from the scope thereof. As time passed and it beca-r.e clear that many Koreans did not intend to repatriate, she Occupation Forces considered more effective proposals to eliminate the major disturbances created by the presence of the Korean minority in Japan. In any event, such disturbances resulted in the SCAP policy statement of November 12, 1946, which provided that, "Koreans who refuse to return to their homeland under the SCAP repatriation program will be considered as retaining their Japanese nationality". Despite vigorous Korean protest, SCAP did not alter its basic policy in this respect and from the date of this order shifted the responsibility for Korean matters to the Japanese Government to solve within the policy framework outlined by SCAP. Records of specific incidents involving Koreans, as well as information ccnc:.ming individual violations by them, of Japanese law and SCAP directives are probably Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. contained in the records of the 441st C.I.C. which, at this time, are stored in Japan and Hawaii.^ A few records of the 441st C.I.C. covering the Occupation period are in the repository at Fort rlolahird, Maryland, but these are, for the most part, concerned with the personnel records of the Corps and it is doubtful whether they would contain any information relative to problems of the Korean minority in Japan. 4 Mention should be made of the fact that the present 441st C.I.C. operates in another area, having been only recently reactivated and bearing no direct "lineal descent" from the 441st C.I.C. that was on duty during the occupation in Japan. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. APP2NDIX VII Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. + SOCIÉTÉ DE LA CROIX-ROUGE DU JAPON 3, Parc Shtba, Hinato-ku TOKIO JtUM 19, 1962 Mrs. Virgisia Darmamtadtar 5401 Cliva Place Ha. Sprisgfiaid, Virgiaia U.S.A. Hear Madam, 1 wiah ta aefcaavladge raealpi af year latter dated May 2 9 , 19^2 and forwarded te tu from the offlea ef ear Seelety'a Eerera Bapatriatiaa Ceater ia Hiigata City. 1 pay raspeet far year effort of writing a thaeie far the Amariaaa Uaivereity, Haehiagtaa, U.C. I am pleased to reply te year qaestieam as fellawet 1) The Aaaard ea Bapatriatiaa ef Earaame residing ia Japan, signed by the Japanese Bed Cross Sesiaty and the H a r ^ Eeraaa Bed Cress Seeiety tms_ extended fej a seeand time PB-Jwly 31. 1961 to eznire Hevember 12. 1 S, witheat any ehaagas ia its to 2) Siaea tite baglaaiag ef rapatriatiea eperatien in Deaem&ar 1959 matil the 9th of Jaaa, I9 6 2 , aamhar ef parsema who left Japan far Nerth Eerea, iaoladiag Eareans and ether natieaalities is* 76,477 (by 94 voyagea ef ships). I sheald be very happy if the above iafarmatiea eanld satisfy year meed. If you have any farther details yea wish to knew, tumid yea please write me? I am ready to give yea the related infarmatien. Vith all sty best wishes and high regards. Siaoerely years. LsabaPa EIOCBI Basaareh Direotar ef Peraiga Affairs Departstant, Japanese Bad Cress Society Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. y & COMITÉ INTERNATIONAL DC LA CROIX-ROUGE Geneva, June 20, 1962 JPM/RN 025 Dear Madeun, We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter of May 29, for which we thank you. The I jreemeni signed in Calcutta on August 13, 1959, between the Red Cross of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea aind the Japanese Red Cross was extended a first time at Niigata on October 27, I960 for one year from November 13, I960, and a second time on July 31, 1961 also at Niigata for a further year. It will in fact expire on November 12, 1962. The two National Red Cross Societies signed on November 2^, i960 at Niigaia, a further agreement bringing from 1,000 to 1,200 the number of Koreans who could be transported each week from Hiigata to Chong-Jin (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). This agreement practically only had effect during the first months of I96I vdien a few departures exceeded 1,100 persons. Since the summer of I9 6 1 , the number of departures has, so to speak, not ceased to decrease. These now only take place twice, sometimes only once a month. According tc information in our possession 76,^77 persons had left Japan for North Korea by June 10, last, on which date the 9^th ship had sailed from Japan. About 9 ^ of these numbers was composed of Japanese nationals, mostly Japanese women who had kept their nationality in spite of having contracted marriages with Koreans and who did not wish to be separated from their families. About 20,00c persons have registered for subsequent departures, but it is not known how many of these will in fact Mrs. Virginia DARMSTADTER $401 Clive Place No. Springfield, Virginia, OSA. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.