January 16, 2026Jan 16, 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

France and UN censure US

France and UN censure US

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

January 15, 2026

The French president criticized the US’ foreign policy on January 8. As regards the fact that the US decided to break from 66

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

Japanese newspaper decries US’ recklessness

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

January 15, 2026

The Tokyo Shimbun on January 9 carried an article titled “US threat and blackmail out of common sense” denouncing the reckless mov

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

Art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan leaves Pyongyang

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

January 15, 2026

The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, principal of Toshun Korean Primary School, left Pyongyang on

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

National sci-tech diffusion system in full operation

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

January 15, 2026

Science and technology are being diffused widely in the DPRK with the Sci-Tech Complex as the hub. Modern regional-industry

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Natural functional cosmetic beautifies skin

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

January 15, 2026

Haemoglobin cosmetic is now popular among many women. Developed by the Pyongyang Cosmetics Factory, this product is applicable to

Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory inaugurated

Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory inaugurated

The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gave

January 14, 2026

The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un gave

Vietnamese prime minister refers to economic development

Vietnamese prime minister refers to economic development

The Vietnamese prime minister mentioned the country’s economic development at a government meeting on January 8. He said that

January 14, 2026

The Vietnamese prime minister mentioned the country’s economic development at a government meeting on January 8. He said that

New villages built at farms in North Hwanghae Province

New villages built at farms in North Hwanghae Province

Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the

January 14, 2026

Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the

Seminar on immortal leadership exploits of peerlessly great men held

Seminar on immortal leadership exploits of peerlessly great men held

There took place a seminar for deeply grasping the immortal leadership exploits of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and

January 14, 2026

There took place a seminar for deeply grasping the immortal leadership exploits of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and

Photo exhibition opens to mark 80th founding anniversary of SPYL

Photo exhibition opens to mark 80th founding anniversary of SPYL

A photo exhibition "Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great politics of

January 14, 2026

A photo exhibition "Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great politics of

First Sports Day observed in DPRK

First Sports Day observed in DPRK

The Korean people conducted mass sports activities across the country on the first sports day of this year. Sports games were held

January 13, 2026

The Korean people conducted mass sports activities across the country on the first sports day of this year. Sports games were held

Russia warns West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine

Russia warns West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on January 8 warned the West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine.

January 13, 2026

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on January 8 warned the West against deploying armed forces in Ukraine.

Student with remarkable memory

Student with remarkable memory

The Sixth Memory Contest of University Students took place last year bringing together excellent students selected from different

January 13, 2026

The Sixth Memory Contest of University Students took place last year bringing together excellent students selected from different

New villages built in South Hwanghae Province

New villages built in South Hwanghae Province

At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County and

January 13, 2026

At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County and

Sci-tech research findings give impetus to economic growth

Sci-tech research findings give impetus to economic growth

2025 was a year when the DPRK powerfully promoted its economic development on the strength of science and technology. Scientific

January 13, 2026

2025 was a year when the DPRK powerfully promoted its economic development on the strength of science and technology. Scientific

Groundbreaking means inauguration

Groundbreaking means inauguration

The phrase “Groundbreaking means inauguration” was coined in the DPRK as lots of edifices for the well-being of the people are

January 13, 2026

The phrase “Groundbreaking means inauguration” was coined in the DPRK as lots of edifices for the well-being of the people are

More Articles