Japanese Colonization

Hall of Korea's Freedom Fighters

The Cruelty

From 1910-1945, Japan had annexed Korea and changed the peaceful life of all Koreans. They forbade schools and universities from speaking Korean and emphasized manual labor and loyalty to the Emperor of Japan. Even public places such as restaurants, convenience stores, and train stations were forced to speak Japanese, and later movies too. The government’s goals were to assimilate Koreans with the help of language, religion and education. Shinto shrines, a shrine originally for Japanese families, later became places of forced worship. Donald N. Clark, a historian, explains that “The imperial government forced Koreans to worship the gods of imperial Japan, including dead emperors and the spirits of war heroes who had helped them conquer Korea earlier in the century.” In addition, nearly 725,000 Korean workers were forced to work in Japan and its other colonies, and as World War II continued, Japan forced hundreds of thousands of innocent Korean women into life as “comfort women”—sexual slaves who served in military brothels. If a retreat signal radioed in during their campaigns, the soldiers would drug and shoot them before retreating; killing thousands of Korean females.

The Lost Aspects of Korean Culture

Not only did they ruin the lives of many Koreans, they even outlawed teachings of Korean culture and stole our culture to increase their reputation from foreign medias. It became a crime to teach Korean history from non-approved texts and many Japanese authorities burned over 200,000 Korean historical documents, wiping out the historical memory of Korea. One of the most important symbols of Korean culture and independence was its royal palace, Gyeongbokgung, which was built by the mighty Joseon dynasty in Seoul in 1395. Soon after the colonization, the Japanese government tore down over a third of the complex’s historic buildings, and the remaining structures were turned into tourist attractions for Japanese visitors. Furthermore, the government also attempted to preserve treasures of Korean art history and culture—but only to be used by them to uphold their frame of itself as a civilizing and modern force.

The Fight

Although Japan occupied Korea for an entire generation, the Koreans didn't submit passively to their rule and withstood their high morale. Throughout the regions of Korea, protest movements pushed for Korean independence. Ages from middle school to crippled all gathered to protest for their freedom. On March 1, 1919, the March First Movement proclaimed Korean independence and more than 1,500 demonstrations throughout the nation broke out. Underground groups such as the Party of Three Thousand, a group of students that tried to undermine the Japanese military after being conscripted to fight in World War II, were formed. Koreans also protested in their own quiet ways. Some refused to speak Japanese or change their names; others came up with names that reflected their family history or contained subtle resistance to the policy. However, the protests were brutally suppressed by the Japanese, who later tortured Koreans from young to old mercilessly, trying to erase their hope. No matter how harsh the conditions were, the Koreans endured all of this for their desire for independence; sacrificing their life for others. Although their cries of freedom were answered, many couldn’t feel the freedom that they long yearned for. Today, Koreans from throughout the nation continue their lives without conspiracy because of their sacrifices. From the young to the old, they all sacrificed their lives to protect their country and for future generations to come. We should all be thankful for their sacrifices for allowing us to be alive today.

Tomas S Choi