February 07, 2026Feb 07, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Abduction and drafting of Koreans – gravest crimes with no statute of limitations (2)

Date: 27/11/2021 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Inhumane treatment and suffering imposed upon forcibly drafted Koreans

Japan that had coercively abducted and drafted the Korean people forced them into hard labour in a barbarous manner which would make slave labour in the ancient time blush.

The cruel and barbarous nature of the slave labour forced by Japan was, first of all, manifested by the intensity of maltreatment and exploitation of the Korean workers by the Japanese employers, as they were given a blank cheque even to kill the Korean workers.

A Japanese man who had been in charge of labour management at the Hashima coal mine in Nagasaki, Japan, testified that the Japanese in charge of labour management had had a virtual right to either take or spare the lives of Korean workers. This testimony alone gives a glimpse of the miserable life of the Korean workers at that time.

The cruel and barbarous nature of slave labour forced by Japan was also expressed by the fact that it was utterly an unpaid forced labour.

According to the testimonies made by the victims who had been forced into slave labour at coal mines and construction sites, they were not paid for the reason that they could flee if they were paid, and they were told that their wages were saved and recorded in the savings passbook but it turned out to be an outright lie.

Some of wages were occasionally paid in the form of cheque or voucher but those could only be used at the shops within the working places, not outside.

Last but not least, the cruel and barbarous nature of slave labour forced by Japan was illustrated by the extreme national discrimination.

The Japanese authorities posted the drafted Koreans only to the sectors of heavy and dangerous labour which the Japanese workers used to shun.

They drove the Koreans into the sectors of dangerous and backbreaking labour such as blasting and removal of earth in all working places including ore mines, coal mines, dam building for power plant and road construction.

Worse still, they didn’t hesitate to commit such atrocities as burying alive or burning to death the Koreans who lost working ability due to unbearable heavy work, malnutrition and diseases.

So much so that the Korean people’s wounds of bitter grudge caused by all sorts of inhumane treatment and slave exploitation by Japan remain unhealed yet.

More From Pyongyang Times

Iran warns against US’ hostile act

Iran warns against US’ hostile act

Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, expressed his stand to counter the US’ hostile act in a large-scale mass

February 07, 2026

Seyed Ali Khamenei, leader of Iran’s Islamic revolution, expressed his stand to counter the US’ hostile act in a large-scale mass

Noteworthy event in DPRK’s journey of conquering space

Noteworthy event in DPRK’s journey of conquering space

Ten years have passed since the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 was successfully launched in the DPRK.When Kwangmyong

February 07, 2026

Ten years have passed since the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong 4 was successfully launched in the DPRK.When Kwangmyong

Iranian FM censures German chancellor for reckless remarks

Iranian FM censures German chancellor for reckless remarks

A department director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the German ambassador to Iran on January 29 to denounce and reject

February 06, 2026

A department director of the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the German ambassador to Iran on January 29 to denounce and reject

2026 National Winter Games open

2026 National Winter Games open

The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Mt Paektu area sports village in

February 06, 2026

The 2026 National Winter Games opened with due ceremony at the ice hockey gymnasium of the Mt Paektu area sports village in

DPRK players successful in international wrestling tournament

DPRK players successful in international wrestling tournament

DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament "Ivan Yarygin Cup" held in

February 06, 2026

DPRK players returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament "Ivan Yarygin Cup" held in

Public and production buildings inaugurated in Unpha County

Public and production buildings inaugurated in Unpha County

New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, giving a

February 06, 2026

New public and production buildings have appeared at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, giving a

Great golden age of construction brings great transformation (1)

Great golden age of construction brings great transformation (1)

The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea worked out a yearly plan for building 10 000 flats in Pyongyang every year

February 06, 2026

The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea worked out a yearly plan for building 10 000 flats in Pyongyang every year

Iran makes stand against US’ military threat

Iran makes stand against US’ military threat

The vice-minister of the Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified the stand to resolutely cope with the US’ military threat on January 2

February 05, 2026

The vice-minister of the Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified the stand to resolutely cope with the US’ military threat on January 2

Protest actions staged across US

Protest actions staged across US

Protest actions were staged simultaneously in different parts of the US against the murderous immigration policy of the

February 05, 2026

Protest actions were staged simultaneously in different parts of the US against the murderous immigration policy of the

Afflicted people become masters of happy life

Afflicted people become masters of happy life

Natural disasters have brought misfortunes and sufferings to people in any era and any country. But the reality in the DPRK is

February 05, 2026

Natural disasters have brought misfortunes and sufferings to people in any era and any country. But the reality in the DPRK is

Schoolchildren meet war veteran in South Hwanghae Province

Schoolchildren meet war veteran in South Hwanghae Province

Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met with a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on February 2. Present there were

February 05, 2026

Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met with a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on February 2. Present there were

National photo exhibition opens

National photo exhibition opens

A national photo exhibition, "Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance", was opened in celebration of the 84th birth anniversary

February 04, 2026

A national photo exhibition, "Under the uplifted banner of self-reliance", was opened in celebration of the 84th birth anniversary

Students of graduating class meet with heroes in Nampho

Students of graduating class meet with heroes in Nampho

Students in their final year at senior middle schools in Nampho Municipality met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre

February 04, 2026

Students in their final year at senior middle schools in Nampho Municipality met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre

Joint action against West’s arbitrariness

Joint action against West’s arbitrariness

Different countries are intensifying efforts to jointly cope with the arbitrariness and military pressure of the West.In mid-Janua

February 04, 2026

Different countries are intensifying efforts to jointly cope with the arbitrariness and military pressure of the West.In mid-Janua

New houses built in North and South Hwanghae provinces

New houses built in North and South Hwanghae provinces

Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon

February 04, 2026

Modern houses have been built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon

Kyongpho Children’s Camp inaugurated in South Hamgyong Province

Kyongpho Children’s Camp inaugurated in South Hamgyong Province

South Hamgyong Province has successfully built the Kyongpho Children’s Camp at an excellent place on the coast of the East Sea.The

February 04, 2026

South Hamgyong Province has successfully built the Kyongpho Children’s Camp at an excellent place on the coast of the East Sea.The

More Articles