February 17, 2026Feb 17, 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

Saeppyol Street inaugurated with splendour

Saeppyol Street inaugurated with splendour

Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the

February 16, 2026

Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the

Congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan arrives in Pyongyang

Congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan arrives in Pyongyang

A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General

February 16, 2026

A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General

Chinese FM rejects reckless remarks of Japanese prime minister

Chinese FM rejects reckless remarks of Japanese prime minister

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on

February 16, 2026

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on

‘Our father’

‘Our father’

When February comes every year, Min Hong Dan, an officer of the Korean People’s Army, remembers the extraordinary story of her nam

February 16, 2026

When February comes every year, Min Hong Dan, an officer of the Korean People’s Army, remembers the extraordinary story of her nam

Seminars on exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il held abroad

Seminars on exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il held abroad

Seminars on exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il were held in Cambodia, Pakistan, Romania, the Czech Republic and Algeria from January

February 15, 2026

Seminars on exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il were held in Cambodia, Pakistan, Romania, the Czech Republic and Algeria from January

Russian FM censures US, West for pursuing hostile policy

Russian FM censures US, West for pursuing hostile policy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the United States and the West for pursuing a hostile policy in an interview on

February 15, 2026

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the United States and the West for pursuing a hostile policy in an interview on

Iranian commander-in-chief warns enemy against provocation

Iranian commander-in-chief warns enemy against provocation

The commander-in-chief of the Iranian army referred to the enemy’s acts of provocation in a meeting of commanding officers of

February 15, 2026

The commander-in-chief of the Iranian army referred to the enemy’s acts of provocation in a meeting of commanding officers of

Youth and students meet socialist patriotic young pioneers

Youth and students meet socialist patriotic young pioneers

Youth and students met with socialist patriotic young pioneers at the hall of the youth league on February 13. Speeches were made

February 15, 2026

Youth and students met with socialist patriotic young pioneers at the hall of the youth league on February 13. Speeches were made

National youth and children's festival of loyalty opens

National youth and children's festival of loyalty opens

The 25th National Youth and Children's Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,

February 14, 2026

The 25th National Youth and Children's Festival of Loyalty opened in the DPRK on the occasion of the auspicious February holiday,

Iranian FM clarifies stand to defend national interests

Iranian FM clarifies stand to defend national interests

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed the stand to defend national interests on February 5. He said that Iran

February 13, 2026

A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed the stand to defend national interests on February 5. He said that Iran

Russian FM issues statement on expiration of New START

Russian FM issues statement on expiration of New START

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on February 4 with regard to the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction

February 12, 2026

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on February 4 with regard to the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction

Top 10 players of DPRK for 2025 (2)

Top 10 players of DPRK for 2025 (2)

With overwhelming superiority O Kyong Ryong, Merited Athlete and wrestler of the Pyongyang Sports Club, was born into a farmer’s

February 12, 2026

With overwhelming superiority O Kyong Ryong, Merited Athlete and wrestler of the Pyongyang Sports Club, was born into a farmer’s

More Articles