The number of survivors of forced labor during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea is dwindling rapidly. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
GWANGJU, Feb. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of survivors of forced labor during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea is dwindling rapidly. Recent reports reveal a stark decrease in the number of survivors, with the figure falling below 1,000 for the first time.
According to the Civic Group for the Mobilization of Forced Labor under Japanese Rule (unofficial translation), only 904 individuals were receiving medical support from the government as of January, marking a significant decline in survivors. Among these, a mere 83 were women, highlighting the disproportionate impact on male survivors.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety administers an annual medical support fund of 800,000 won for each of these survivors, as stipulated by the Special Act on Verification and Support for the Victims of Forced Mobilization Under Japanese Colonialism. This act serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to address the historical injustices suffered by thousands.
However, the past year has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of beneficiaries, with 360 individuals passing away, representing a significant 28% decrease from the previous year’s total of 1,264.
This sharp decline is part of a distressing trend observed since 2015 when the number of survivors first fell below 10,000. The numbers have been rapidly decreasing ever since, with 3,140 survivors in 2020, 2,400 in 2021, and 1,815 in 2022.
The geographic distribution of these survivors spans across the nation, with the highest numbers in Gyeonggi Province and the lowest in regions like Jeju Island. This widespread yet diminishing presence underscores the extensive reach of Japan’s wartime mobilization efforts across Korea.
Civic groups are raising their voices, emphasizing the urgent need to expand medical support and develop more effective measures to support the aging survivors. Many of these individuals were mere teenagers when they were coerced into labor, and now, in their mid-90s or even older, the majority reside in nursing homes, their health and wellbeing a constant concern.
Moreover, there is a pressing call to preserve the experiences, memories, and historical truths of these survivors for future generations.
Civic groups stress the importance of government and local authorities taking active steps in collecting testimonies, documenting experiences, publishing materials, and establishing museums dedicated to this dark chapter of history.
Such efforts are deemed essential not only for honoring the survivors but also for ensuring that the lessons of the past remain vivid and meaningful for years to come.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
