December 07, 2025Dec 07, 2025
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

Russian FM warns against Japan’s moves toward militarization

Russian FM warns against Japan’s moves toward militarization

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a

December 06, 2025

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, warned against Japan’s dangerous moves towards militarization at a

Ceremonies of moving into new houses held in Nampho

Ceremonies of moving into new houses held in Nampho

Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,

December 06, 2025

Modern rural dwellings which have been built at the Jamjin Farm in Kangso District and the Ryongho Farm in Ryonggang County,

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan arrives in Pyongyang

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan arrives in Pyongyang

An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in

December 06, 2025

An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan headed by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, arrived in

Scientific guarantee provided for solving steel and oil problems

Scientific guarantee provided for solving steel and oil problems

The State Academy of Sciences developed the technologies for producing reduced iron and synthetic fuel oil based on coal

December 06, 2025

The State Academy of Sciences developed the technologies for producing reduced iron and synthetic fuel oil based on coal

Secret of retaining honour of top enterprise for three years

Secret of retaining honour of top enterprise for three years

The Tanchon Smeltery is the one and only business that has been selected as one of the top ten enterprises for three consecutive

December 06, 2025

The Tanchon Smeltery is the one and only business that has been selected as one of the top ten enterprises for three consecutive

Venezuela exposes illegality of US’ ‘anti-drug operations’

Venezuela exposes illegality of US’ ‘anti-drug operations’

The Public Prosecutor General of Venezuela on November 26 exposed and condemned the illegality of the attacks the US is mounting o

December 05, 2025

The Public Prosecutor General of Venezuela on November 26 exposed and condemned the illegality of the attacks the US is mounting o

Vietnamese embassy hosts photo exhibition and reception

Vietnamese embassy hosts photo exhibition and reception

The Vietnamese embassy in Pyongyang hosted a photo exhibition and reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on December 3 on

December 05, 2025

The Vietnamese embassy in Pyongyang hosted a photo exhibition and reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on December 3 on

International Day of Persons with Disabilities marked

International Day of Persons with Disabilities marked

A meeting took place at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 3 to mark the International Day of Persons with

December 05, 2025

A meeting took place at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on December 3 to mark the International Day of Persons with

New houses built in North and South Phyongan provinces

New houses built in North and South Phyongan provinces

New villages have been built at the Chongok Farm and the Jasan Farm in Phyongsong City of South Phyongan Province and the

December 05, 2025

New villages have been built at the Chongok Farm and the Jasan Farm in Phyongsong City of South Phyongan Province and the

Institute of Agricultural Science built in South Phyongan Province

Institute of Agricultural Science built in South Phyongan Province

South Phyongan Province has newly built the Institute of Agricultural Science. The comprehensive research base with research

December 05, 2025

South Phyongan Province has newly built the Institute of Agricultural Science. The comprehensive research base with research

Farmers move into new houses in North Phyongan and Jagang provinces

Farmers move into new houses in North Phyongan and Jagang provinces

Modern dwelling houses have been built at the Tongchon Farm in Cholsan County of North Phyongan Province and the Jonchang Farm in

December 05, 2025

Modern dwelling houses have been built at the Tongchon Farm in Cholsan County of North Phyongan Province and the Jonchang Farm in

Kyongsong Tile Factory remodelled

Kyongsong Tile Factory remodelled

North Hamgyong Province splendidly remodelled the Kyongsong Tile Factory. The remodelling of the factory furnished with efficient

December 05, 2025

North Hamgyong Province splendidly remodelled the Kyongsong Tile Factory. The remodelling of the factory furnished with efficient

China demands US lift sanctions against Venezuela

China demands US lift sanctions against Venezuela

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry answered a question put by a journalist as to the US’ sanctions against Venezuela

December 04, 2025

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry answered a question put by a journalist as to the US’ sanctions against Venezuela

Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteer for coal mines

Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteer for coal mines

Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteered one after another to work at coal mines in the province with the will to

December 04, 2025

Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteered one after another to work at coal mines in the province with the will to

Dairy foods associated with warm love

Dairy foods associated with warm love

The Third Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in June 2021 adopted the childcare

December 04, 2025

The Third Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in June 2021 adopted the childcare

Effective disaster warning information system developed

Effective disaster warning information system developed

DPRK scientists and technicians developed a disaster warning information system to ensure scientific, accurate and rapid disaster

December 04, 2025

DPRK scientists and technicians developed a disaster warning information system to ensure scientific, accurate and rapid disaster

Premier Pak inspects various sectors of national economy

Premier Pak inspects various sectors of national economy

Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier

December 03, 2025

Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier

More Articles